Saracens have given Brendan Venter an unusual new job title as the club attempts to resolve a dispute over mandatory media responsibilities in the Premiership.
Venter, who returned to the London club for a second spell earlier this year, has been designated “head of rugby culture and wine consultant” rather than director of rugby.
The change comes after Saracens were fined for failing to have Venter fulfil media obligations required of the person overseeing their rugby operation.
Premiership Rules Triggered Fines
Under Premiership regulations, the individual holding the director of rugby role, or an equivalent position leading a club’s rugby operation, is expected to attend a weekly media conference as well as pre- and post-match media commitments.
Saracens were initially fined £5,000 after Venter failed to attend the competition’s official pre-season media day at Twickenham earlier this month.
Further financial penalties followed after he was absent from media duties surrounding Saracens’ opening league fixture against Leicester.
The club won the match impressively, but it was head coach Joe Shaw who handled media duties before and after the game.
Club Argues Venter No Longer Holds the Relevant Position
Saracens are understood to be challenging the fines, arguing that Venter’s official title and responsibilities have changed.
The club has reportedly asked for Shaw to be permitted to take responsibility for the team’s media commitments going forward.
The argument centres on Venter no longer officially holding the position of director of rugby, despite his continued involvement in the team’s sporting affairs.
Venter Still Closely Involved With Team Decisions
The change in title has raised questions because Venter continues to appear heavily involved in Saracens’ rugby operation.
He was visibly involved in celebrating the victory over Leicester, while it is understood that he has already planned Saracens’ team selections for the coming weeks.
Those responsibilities have fuelled the perception that the South African remains a central figure in the club’s rugby decision-making despite his revised job description.
Shaw Expected to Remain the Public Face
With the dispute ongoing, Shaw is expected to continue representing Saracens in front of the media.
The head coach has already stepped into the role during the opening stages of the season, handling the press responsibilities that would normally fall to the person overseeing the wider rugby operation.
Saracens’ attempt to formalise that arrangement will now be closely watched as the Premiership considers the club’s argument over Venter’s new position.
Venter Has Previous Media History
The unusual arrangement is particularly notable given Venter’s previous experiences with media scrutiny.
During his first spell at Saracens, the former South Africa international was fined on several occasions for comments made to journalists.
One of his most memorable media appearances came in 2010 after Saracens lost a European fixture to French club Racing Metro.
Venter gave Sky Sports an interview lasting just 57 seconds, an appearance that subsequently became notorious in rugby circles.
An Unconventional Solution to an Ongoing Problem
Venter’s return was announced in January, when Saracens appointed him to replace Mark McCall, who had spent 15 years in charge of the club, as director of rugby.
The latest change to Venter’s official title represents an unusual attempt to separate his behind-the-scenes rugby responsibilities from the public-facing obligations attached to the Premiership’s senior rugby role.
Whether that distinction is accepted by the league could determine whether Saracens avoid further penalties over media duties as the season progresses.
