World Rugby has confirmed that three nominations have been received for the two Rugby Southern Hemisphere High Performance Union Executive Board positions to be elected at the Council meeting in Dublin on 19 November.

The nominations are:

  • Greg Barclay (New Zealand Rugby), nominated by New Zealand Rugby and Seconded by South African Rugby Union
  • John Eales (Rugby Australia), nominated by Rugby Australia and Seconded by New Zealand Rugby
  • Agustín Pichot (Unión Argentina De Rugby), nominated by Unión Argentina De Rugby and seconded by South African Rugby Union.

The electoral process, timelines and eligibility for the two World Rugby Executive Board positions are set out in Bye-Law 9.8 and Bye-Law 9.9 of the World Rugby Bye-Laws.

Under governance reforms adopted in 2024 to broaden representation, the Executive Board comprises two members from northern hemisphere high-performance unions, two from southern hemisphere high-performance unions, one performance representative, one regional representative, two independent player representatives, four independent directors, the World Rugby Chair and the CEO.

Eligible candidates must be Council representatives from Australia, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. In accordance with the World Rugby Bye-Laws, Unions and Regions are invited to submit nominations for the positions with nominees confirmed by the end of October, following a comprehensive vetting process. The election will be conducted by ballot.

The elected members will succeed SA Rugby President Mark Alexander and New Zealand representative Bart Campbell on the World Rugby Executive Board, who are retiring from their positions. The World Rugby Council will elect their successors at its meeting in Dublin on 19 November.

Alexander will step down after serving the maximum cumulative term of eight years, while Campbell is stepping down after six years of service following the conclusion of his mandate on the World Rugby Council as a New Zealand Rugby representative. Both will step down following the November Executive Board meeting ahead of Council.  

Together, within the Board, they have helped shape game on and off the field, overseeing record-breaking men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, the introduction of new international competitions and the development of a bold new World Rugby strategy to drive the sport’s sustainable growth.

Read more about World Rugby's governance structures here >>