The HSBC World Sevens Series which kicks off in Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday represents a new model for SA Rugby in the way the tournament is presented.
SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, said it was in effect a pilot programme in working with local government and other stakeholders in putting on the global showpiece.
Roux was speaking at a fund raiser Thursday morning where Springbok Sevens sponsor, Absa, presented a cheque of R50 000 rand to the Ubuntu Education Trust.
He said when they awarded the tender for the tournament to EP Rugby, it was done in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and a trust fund.
Roux said it had to become a viable business model.
"Within that model we share all the risk and in the end we share all the profit the comes from it."
"It is a very unique and we had some form of it previously with the British Lions touring here which was also a joint venture. But, this is a complete new commercial model where everybody takes a bit of risk but everybody enjoys the benefits as well," Roux said.
Meanwhile, Roux says there were some "growing pains" with stage the HSBC World Sevens Series in Nelson Mandela Bay.
"We've had some small hiccups, but those are really small things and a lot of it has actually got to do with outside partners and individuals rather than the joint venture itself," he said.
"The growing pains will go and we'll learn as we go along. But, at the moment from the feedback from the Council the people of Port Elizabeth have been unbelievable and we only getting the best from them so we are really forward to a great tournament," Roux said.
