https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/stemme/gesels-saam/sportbot-se-sy-huis-is-in-orde-rassie-se-prokureur-tas-mis-202507 6

The founders of Sportbot, along with many of its ambassadors, are deeply upset over claims made in Rapport’s October 6, 2024, article labeling the platform as a “dangerous scheme” and suggesting it resembles a pyramid scheme.

What has further angered the Sportbot community is the belief that Rapport misused Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ name, who they claim does not fully understand the system, to tarnish Sportbot’s reputation.

Rapport’s article asserted that Sportbot is a money-making scheme, even citing independent experts who claimed it “looks like a pyramid scheme.” Dr. Johan Bosch, the founder, co-shareholders, his team, and prominent ambassadors have expressed their strong disapproval of the article.

“This is the biggest load of nonsense,” Bosch stated. “How can it be a money-making or pyramid scheme when the system is FREE to register and use?

”Sportbot cannot be classified as a pyramid scheme due to its structure and business model. A pyramid scheme typically requires participants to pay an initial fee or investment with promises of future earnings primarily based on recruiting others, rather than generating income from legitimate product sales. Such models rely on a recruitment chain, where profits for those at the top come at the expense of those below, often leading to financial losses for most participants.

In contrast, Sportbot operates with only two levels of commission, limiting the depth of recruitment incentives and focusing on earnings from actual participation or sales rather than an extended downline.

Moreover, Sportbot is FREE to join, with every member receiving a free QR code without any upfront payment, eliminating the financial model of a pyramid scheme. The absence of mandatory investments and empty promises of future earnings based solely on recruitment further distinguishes Sportbot from a pyramid scheme.

Sportbot’s model is based on accessible participation and potential earnings tied to the sale of information, aligning with legitimate global business practices. Bosch emphasized that Sportbot’s terms and conditions are clearly outlined on the company’s website. Rapport’s claim that software cannot be patented is “completely untrue.” Rapport has since been shown evidence that Sportbot holds a patent in South Africa and two trademarks—Sportbot Shares™ and Powered by POLC™.

Additionally, Rapport was provided proof of Sportbot’s registration with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, handled by Tag Bankers in the UK, which valued Sportbot at approximately R342 million. Comments by Frikkie Erasmus suggesting platforms like Sportbot are not patentable reflect a misunderstanding of intellectual property law. Werner Janse van Rensburg, Sportbot’s international legal representative from VR-LAW in South Africa, stated, “Software patents protect new, non-obvious, and useful technological innovations. In the U.S., the USPTO grants thousands of software patents annually—over 60% of the 391,000 patents in 2024 were tech-related. In Europe, the EPO allows patents for software with a ‘technical effect.’ Companies like Microsoft (80,000 patents) and Uber (no vehicles, but a massive software company) demonstrate the value of such patents. Sportbot, running on POLC’s AI platform, is patented in South Africa under number 2021/06229 G06Q. 

It’s unfortunate that Rassie Erasmus misunderstands the product, as athletes don’t need to spend a cent to secure funding on the platform. 

”Bosch was shocked by Rapport’s article. During his prior meeting with Rassie Erasmus and Jaco Peyper, they were enthusiastic about the system. In fact, Peyper assisted Sportbot in reviewing their contracts. Since then, the product’s functionality has significantly improved through partnerships with prominent South African and international sports stars. 

Sportbot remains free to use, earning a transaction fee per transaction, similar to Visa and MasterCard in the financial world. 

Sportbot also approached MyPlayers to explain the concept, ensuring it does not breach commercial contracts between players and clubs or sponsors like Nike or the Springboks, which is itself a brand. 

Bosch stressed that Sportbot complements funding for athletes and is not a competitor to contracts with clubs or sponsors. 

Sportbot can be seen as a new type of private social media platform. Although MyPlayers cannot officially endorse Sportbot, Bosch noted that a meeting with MyPlayers’ CEO Eugene Henning and their legal representative was successful, with both parties responding positively after understanding the concept. Bosch recently confirmed this with Henning following Rapport’s article.

Sportbot is gradually rolling out to over 100 countries where sports are played. 

However, South Africa’s position on the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list limits dealings with global payment aggregators like Tipalti, who refuse to work with companies from grey- or black-listed countries. This prompted Sportbot to relocate offshore to the UK.
Countries like the UAE offer low taxes and favorable laws, while South Africa’s
high taxes and regulations like BBBEE discourage tech companies from staying (just ask Elon Musk!).

Sportbot’s software development companies are based in London and Paarl,

South Africa, with their owners holding shares in Sportbot Europe (Pty) Ltd, the holding company.

Sportbot empowers its members and does not exploit them,  contrary to Rapport’s October 2024 portrayal. 

The article was translated into English forpublications like City Press and other News24 channels, further upsetting the Sportbot team. The platform’s core mission is to financially support talented athletes worldwide in any sport. In South Africa, thousands of athletes from all backgrounds have incredible talent but lack the financial means to reach their full potential. 

Coaching, travel to tournaments, and entry fees are often unaffordable.

Sportbot enables this through certificate purchases, with athletereceiving 80-90% of the fees. 

If an athlete receives 80%, the remaining 10% goes to their school, university, or academy.

Most athletes currently receive 90% of their primary certificate sales, which can be withdrawn immediately via Sportbot’s integration with South Africa’s banking system. 

The remaining 10% is paid as commissions to members who invited others via their QR codes. 

No athlete, school, or university or media company needs to spend a cent, yet they can earn lifelong income.

Any athlete worldwide can register for free on Sportbot, list themselves on the global rankings, 

and receive a QR code.
Junior athletes (with parental consent) receive 50,000 certificates, amateurs get 250,000, 

and professionals receive 1 million, each initially valued at R20.00 or USD 1.00.

In return, athletes must upload social media content to Sportbot, 

preferably exclusive and not shared on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X.

This takes about two hours initially and includes behind-the-scenes photos, music athletes listen to for calming nerves, coaching techniques, or diet habits. Sportbot protects athletes’ intellectual property

and brand equity better than open platforms and is safer, 

as certificate holders cannot communicate, harass, or threaten athletes. 

Bosch emphasized that Sportbot’s strength lies in collaborating with athletes, players, universities,
clubs, schools, coaches, academies, and other sports industry stakeholders to continually improve 

the product.

The underlying AI platform (Powered by POLC™) handles all transactions, displaying every cent spent in real-time on a transaction log. All transactions are traceable, secure, transparent, private,
non-replaceable, unique, and accountable. Fans of rugby players, for example, are eager to buy certificates for exclusive Sportbot content like photos and videos uploaded to athletes’ profiles. 

Over 75 professional athletes, including Johan Kriek and Kevin Curren (tennis), are already on the platform, alongside amateurs and juniors from countries like Brazil, the UK, the US, Spain, Norway,
and the UAE. 

Sportbot’s strategy is to invite everyone—sports industry stakeholders, clubs, universities, schools, academies, athletes, players, parents, and fans worldwide—to contribute ideas to improve Sportbot and make the POLC AI platform smarter for everyone’s benefit.

Sportbot plans a press conference at Atlantic Beach Golf Club on July 29 at 11:00 to demonstrate the system and answer media questions about Sportbot, its AI platform, and how POLC’s planned modules
could create thousands of jobs in South Africa. Basic Explanation of Sportbot Certificates. 

Each certificate starts at USD 1.00. After 10% of an athlete’s certificates are sold on the primary or secondary market, their “market value” kicks in, known as a “rolling VWAP”

(Volume Weighted Average Price) on a stock exchange. 

These rules were developed with input from top athletes on the platform.

Members interested in an athlete’s exclusive content can buy certificates for USD 1.00 (1 certificate),

USD 5.00 (5 certificates), or USD 10.00 (10 certificates). 

As long as a member holds the minimum certificates, they access three categories of private athlete content. If they lose interest, they can sell these certificates at any price on the secondary market.

Selling below USD 1.00 (e.g., 80c) increases the likelihood of a quick sale, while selling above

USD 1.00 (e.g., USD 1.20) offers potential profit if the athlete’s certificate value grows.

Even in secondary market sales, the athlete and the member who invited them via their

QR code earn commissions.