World Rugby Executive Board Nominations Announced

World Rugby 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, 2026.

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.

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.

World Rugby confirmed the nominations for the Executive Board positions 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.

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.

Mark Alexander will step down after serving the maximum cumulative term of eight years, while Bart 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.

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