Southern Kings have accepted a $4.8 million offer from the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to delay their Super Rugby debut until 2016, according to newspaper reports.
SARU officials refused to comment on the reports amid a possible end to months of speculation as to which franchise would make way for the Port Elizabeth-based Kings.
Johannesburg-based Golden Lions were widely expected to lose out after finishing bottom of the South African conference this year behind Western Stormers, Northern Bulls, Coastal Sharks and Central Cheetahs.
SARU announced last January that Kings, who are based in the black rugby stronghold of the Eastern Cape and have long sought elevation to top-flight competitions, would play in Super Rugby next season.
But the union failed to persuade the competition organisers to increase the number of South African sides to six while the Kings, who play in the second tier of the domestic Currie Cup, named New Zealander Matt Sexton coach.
The reports said the Kings, who have battled to sign Super-standard players, would be promoted to the Currie Cup premier division next season irrespective of their final first division placing.
The Super Rugby contract runs until the end of the 2015 season and South African officials hope the southern hemisphere competition will then be expanded with Kings among the additional teams.
David
Guest
It may well be the best outcome but it isnt done and dusted. The Kings have denied agreeing to this So Brett is correct. Its not over yet
Brett McKay
Expert
I would say "sense at last", but as Sam has posted above, I fear this ain't over yet...
Tubby, the Kings was formed with the specific task tobecomeca franchise for the development of black talent. It is in the heartland of black rugby, since 2005 they have been told this would happen. First there was the mismanagement of funds, then in the last 7 years they have developed nothing anf have not aided themselves with justifiable perfomances that could enhance their chances of inclusion, they haven't even been able to win the Vodacom cup.
Rusty
Roar Guru
This would be the best outcome. The Lions although coming dead last again have showed significant improvement. Unfortunately like the Cheetahs, injuries to key personnel and lack of depth have again sunk their campaigns at crucial times. The Cheetahs have been the entertainers of the tournament - sometime to their own detriment but a 10th place finish is pretty decent if past history is taken into account. So that leads us to the Kings.. I have no doubts the region needs super rugby exposure BUT they are simply not ready. Its a bit of a catch 22 situation as they will never get the exposure without being included but we dont want to simply introduce another set of whipping boys into the mix - although it would boost the SA conference BP levels ;). The original idea at inception was that they would play their way up the CC ranks into premier division, building up talent/experienc etc before coming into the super rugby fold. Problem is that they couldnt even do that and freefell from the auto inclusion into the Premier division after the first 2(?) years and then never made it back. Perhaps 2 years was too short or perhaps it was just symptomatic of the ongoing mismanagement of the area that lead to player disillusionment and departure. Its then tough to hold on to or gather talent enough for go forward if you cant deliver at that lower level. They have a new coach in Matt Sexton ala Canterbury who working under Alan Solomons may be what they need to at least get them on the CC trail. although I would have preferred a local coach such as Griquas Pote Human who will be used to working with limited resources
Rusty
Roar Guru
just like those North Sydney Waratahs?
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Looks like this is far from settled, with the Kings denying the payoff and claiming they'll be playing super rugby next year. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_7902754,00.html
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Why on earth wait another four years? For what!
Carnivean
Guest
We can't support 5 good teams yet. A far better option would be to include the Pacific Islands or a Japanese team. Or to get rid of the conference system.
Johnno
Guest
-With the kings coming in in 2016 , west sydney and taranaki will have to come in or adealide or gold coast. Now a 6th super rugby franchise will come into OZ, which will be great for rugby in OZ. Go west sydney it will make millions too. West sydney is the buzz in sports now, the central hub of sports in OZ, the heartland of sport in OZ is west sydney, and that is where sport can make most of it's money in OZ. Go west sydney .
tubby
Guest
ridiculous that this is only decided after the regular season has already finished. I wonder how many of the cheetahs lineup were looking elsewhere for new contracts due to uncertainty on who would be in super rugby next year. A couple of weeks ago 1/3 of their team was playing elsewhere next year. The kings are nowhere near super rugby standards, but to be fair they've not had much chance to recruit players as they haven't had certainty either.
Argyle
Roar Guru
I am with you bludger - What is wrong with just being called The Queensland Reds or the Tranvaal Lions.
Bludger
Guest
S.A. rugby franchises need to adopt city names so we can picture where these clubs are from. Where is Lions from? Where is Sharks from? Is it New Zealand or South Africa? Confusing. Western Force? What the hell is that?
hog
Guest
Will be interesting in 2016 whether it becomes Super 16, new TV deal and still no mention of which SA franchise to drop.
Tembavj
Guest
This is a much better option for all. Nice slice of start up cash (hope it goes to rugby and not BMW's) plus a chance to show you deserve to be in super rugby by playing curry cup. Earlier this year the Lions beat the Kings 88-0 this is not a team that will be ready for super rugby. I fear its always been about blackmailing SARU for money and R40m is plenty. Its SARU's own fault for putting it self in that position (bunch of idiots) and for not spending its huge amounts of cash to promote this area more. Without a draft type system the SK will just become another rugby nursery for the big teams like the cheetahs have been. But as brumbies have shown you don't need a team of stars to win and the tahs a team of stars does not assure you victory
The Bush
Roar Guru
2016 is the start of the new TV contract, has nothing to do with the World Cup cycle.
Johnno
Guest
-Would be great if super rugby could expand in 2014, not 2016. But maybe 2016 makes sense as that will be the 1st year of the new 4-year world cup cycle. And it seems all big decisons in rugby now are made via the 4 year cycle. You make designs and stick with it and review every 4 years. But would of been lovely to get west sydney in in 2014. The thing for the books is this. They have so much talant or depth coming though that they are ready to go now. -Good move too too save the Orange Free state blomfeintien cheetahs. The orange free stats is a rugby heartland that would be crazy to kick out. Toyota now sponsoring them they are getting better management things are on the up. -Dannie Gerber,Os Du Randt, Juan SMith, Bismark Du plessis, Henrich Brussow, all from Orange free state so they do produce great springboks down there in the orange free state. -And Johanesburg too should be developed more too. Ellis Park is an iconic stadium but i think they should move away from it. it is a long way too get too for fans, and is in a rough part of town. Anyone who knows about South africa's crime rate would know about it. -I also think the stormers should move away form Newlands. The cape town stadium built for the world cup is magnificent and is right near city, ANd has a trains station at your door. ANd much better parking and toilet facilities. Newlands is near a train station too. -But common sense has prevailed and very happy the lions and cheetahs will stay they will improve not the other way round. Just remember in say 2010 how bad the lions were before John Mitchell came in. And they won currie cup last year.