Zelt Marais was elected as the new president of the Western Province Rugby Football Union at Newlands on Monday night.

Marais, a stalwart of the old City and Suburban Union (Cities) and a financial expert at Nedbank, beat off the challenge of Springbok selector and former Saru captain from Tygerberg, Peter Jooste, for the presidential hot seat that was vacant following the end of Thelo Wakefield’s tenure.

Wakefield had been in charge since 2012, when he replaced Tobie Titus, where after he was elected for a second three-year term in 2015.

Apart from Marais, who was the deputy president to Wakefield, there is further change in the top positions on the WP executive.

Long-serving Schotsche-Kloof Walmers man Moneeb Levy was elected as the new deputy president on Monday night, taking over from Marais.