When it comes to bidding for the rights to host major sporting events, South Africans won't easily forgive or forget New Zealand's Charles Dempsey.

When I recently read that August 15, 2008, was the closing date for submissions to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Dempsey imediately came to mind and he serves as a dark reminder of the real priorties and vested interests (the billion dollar economics) in sport.

Dempsey cost South Africa billions and his actions went a long way to reinforce negative stereotypes Springbok rugby union fans have of New Zealanders, and added fuel to one of the most bitter rivalries in the world of rugby union.

This Kiwi FIFA football administrator was instructed to vote in favour of South Africa's 2006 Football World Cup hosting bid ahead of Germany but mysteriously abstained at the last minute, gifting the 2006 hosting to Germany and costing South Africa dearly.

Needlessly to say, Dempsey doesn't safari in South Africa - and most Springbok fans would love to mount his head as a trophy above their fireplaces. With the 2015 bids now in, South Africa again must hold its breath and hope its plans aren't scuppered by this type of shenanigans.

With New Zealand hosting its second RWC in 2011 (as have Australia and England), South Africa must be the logical choice for 2015 but that's, thanks to Mr Dempsey and his mates, no sure thing!

2015 will be the eighth RWC after starting in Australia and New Zealand in 1987. Subsequent hosts of the four-yearly tournament include England ('91), South Africa ('95), Wales & England ('99), Australia ('03), France and UK ('07) and New Zealand are set for their second in 2011.

Australia, the UK, and Japan have joined the South Africans in the 2015 RWC bid but, as both Australia and the UK have hosted the tournament twice already, it really only leaves Japan and South Africa. Doesn't it?

Thinking of Charles Dempsey, a shiver runs down my spine and I wouldn't be surprised if we see ''something'' (surprise, surprise) trip up the South African bid.

With characters like Tony O'Reilly and Rupert Murdoch knocking around, Dempsey in this case ranks as only the lightest of lightweights. But if South Africa don't get the 2015 Rugby World Cup, this fan is packing it in. I'll be looking for a less corrupt sport, if such a thing exists! Anyone for tiddlywinks?