Ryan Kankowski Photo: Gallo Images

Springbok and Sharks loose forward Ryan Kankowski was ordered to pay his previous management team at In Touch Sports Management R322 500 in commission in an arbitration hearing that concluded today.

He was also ordered to pay back interest on the amount from May 2010 until final settlement, plus legal fees. 

The case was first heard in the High Court in Durban, but was later referred to arbitration by agreement between the parties. 

Kankowski opposed the payment of the amount on the grounds that the terms of the contract were vague and confusing, and that the terms of the contract were unenforceable as certain terms thereof are in breach of the applicable IRB or SARFU regulations.

He also stated that he contracted with a particular agent and not the management company, and that he was therefore entitled to terminate his contract when the agent left the employment of the company. 

“We argued the terms of the contract were clear and that the money owed could therefore not be disputed,” says Riaan Venter, Director at Gildenhuys Malatji Incorporated, the law firm acting on behalf of In Touch Sports Management.

“The management company secured his contract with the Sharks and was therefore entitled to its commission in terms of the contract.”

The arbitrator found in favour of In Touch Sports Management and ordered Kankowski to pay the outstanding amount.