The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has relegated the Johannesburg-based Lions from the Super Rugby competition to make way for new side the Southern Kings.
SARU officials voted 26-3 in Cape Town to promote the Eastern Cape-based Kings and relegate the Lions, who finished last in this year’s tournament.
The Sharks, who finished runners-up this season to the Chiefs of New Zealand, semi-finalists the Stormers, three-time champions the Bulls and the improving Cheetahs retain their status as South Africa’s other franchises in the 15-team competition.
“All rugby provinces have consistently supported the need for an Eastern Cape team in the competition. That decision was first taken in 2006 but their inclusion has twice been postponed,” SARU president Oregan Hoskins said.
“The Kings franchise represents more clubs than any other region — apart from the Stormers — and contains numerous leading rugby schools. It has been starved of top-class competition for a decade-and-a-half.
“Provinces asked for a rugby solution and we believe this was the fairest and most transparent method to respond to what is undoubtedly a less than ideal situation.”
The decision to axe the lowest South African team on the table followed months of speculation that included the Lions joining forces with another franchise and the Kings being paid to delay their elevation.
There has been ongoing political pressure to promote the Kings, who are likely to stage home fixtures at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in coastal city Port Elizabeth.
Eastern Cape boasts the largest number of black rugby players in the country and some officials from the ruling ANC party have expressed unhappiness at what they believed was the neglect of the sport in the region.
New Zealander Matt Sexton was named coach of the Kings last April but the Currie Cup second-tier leaders have not announced any major signings before the big step-up to Super Rugby.
Softening the blow a little for the Lions, who have denied constant reports of financial problems, is the decision to have a two-leg South African promotion-relegation match at the end of each Super Rugby season from next year.
South African officials want six franchises in the competition when the television deal is renegotiated after the 2015 tournament and there has also been speculation of Argentine, Japanese and Pacific Islands entrants.
Kiteywo Chelogoi
Guest
I was asking if you are still in ep so that you can put a demographic explanation of how rugby is popular with all races in that province. I have tried googling with no relieve.
gttommo
Roar Rookie
I feel like the family pet has just died. I know it's not the end of the world but it hurts to see this happen to the team that I grew up supporting. That's how my heart feels but as chris said in the above comment they have been abysmal, it has been year after year of frustration and false dawns when getting a new coach or doing well in the currie cup etc. So while I am a bit sorry about it I can't say they don't deserve it. What makes me a bit annoyed is the disorganised way in which it all happened, it might have been easier to swallow if it was confirmed last year that the lowest finishing SA team would be relegated but no one knew for sure what was happening. Myself and the other three Lions supporters hope that they make it back soon.
chris
Guest
One issue that people are missing is just how rubbish the Lions have been over the course of Super 14 and 15. Only focusing on 2012 makes it seem like they are similar to the Blues and the Waratahs, they are not. In the last five years they have won only twelve matches. They have finished in the bottom three in 14 of the last 17 seasons. They have produced almost no Springboks. The Lions union is basically broke and have minimal support even within Johannesburg. There is no inherent reason why the Lions should be weaker than the big three unions (the Cheetahs are a much smaller market and will always struggle to generate the necessary income). Given the Lions absolute failure I think it makes sense to give another organisation a go. Port Elizabeth is the next biggest market available is South Africa after Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria and it makes sense under the circumstances they should be given a go. The Eastern Cape is also one of the key talent producing regions, I am probably missing a few, but the following players were all schooled in the region. JJ Engelbrecht, Akona Ndugane, Bjorn Basson, Dewaldt Potgieter, Jacques Potgieter, CJ Stander, Zane Kirchner - Bulls Teven Sykes, Keegan Daniel, Ryan Kankowski, Odwa Ndugane and Lwazi Mvovo, Meyer Bosman - Sharks Baniso Maku, Bandisio, Elton Jantjies - Lions Siya Kolisi - Stormers
Tigranes
Guest
Chris, I have heard it before that south Africa is populated by blokes with the physiques of NFL players and that they would dominate domestic rugby ~ biggest myth out there, Been to both US and SA southern African blacks are far smaller than their African American counterparts, not to mention Afrikaaners are generally big units
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
But don't you provide the stumbling blocks ... As a single entity Taranaki won't get a gig and just as importantly the NZRFU won't give away full control .... So under those circumstances will the private equity still be forthcoming .... Also realistically what's the connection with the Bay - there isn't one ... They are either side of the island - with a province or 2 in between ... And really what's in it for HB anyway - a junior partner again but in a new franchise Honestly I really can't see any point in expansion ... It just dilutes the rugby on offer ... At present NZ and to a lesser degree SA aren't suffering but Aust certainly is .... So far all expansion has been is a ham fisted 'soultion' from SANZAR at each contract renewal to get basically the same level of money ... SR isn't the cash cow in all this the international comp is and at some stage there has to be a tipping point where expansion equals losing $ ... What I'd want to see at the next contact deal is some positive and innovative thinking into making the current 15 team comp a better product - they need to improve the current situation rather than to just expand with zero thought behind it
Argyle
Roar Guru
No one in Government is at SARU - wake up champ. PDV politcal appointment. I am not anti any race. I deplore racism at its core. But read further - 'Dont piss on my leg and tell me its raining' and I am beyond angry mate - I am enraged at being taken for a fool.
It is bound to happen, so yes I agree with you that is the only other expansion I would like to see. Eventually hopefully Argentina can have 5 teams as well. Then let the conferences fight it out and the top two franchises from each country goes through.
Student
Guest
Instead of a 6th team each, it would make more sense to add three teams from Argentina....so the Pumas can grow their own talent against the top ranked rugby playing nations instead of outsourcing this development to Heineken cup and the likes up north.
The Currie Cup will never become semi pro comps, it is entrenched in too much history and tradition, and the importance of it to the SA public will never allow for that to happen. Like I said previously in this thread. Have the 5 Super Franchises and then the other 9 Provinces compete on equal footing as the Currie Cup, ensuring equality in finances must be key though.
chris
Guest
I wish SANZAR just keep it simple and just have 1 comp like the NFL with an South African conference New Zealand or maybe Trans Tasman conference and make things like the NPC/Currie Cup/Shute Shield just semi-pro comps played at the same time for the up and coming. SANZAR could have a great comp but just needs a but smoothing out.
Kid K, no mate I have no specific province that I support for me it is all about the Boks. I have no issue with the Kings to play Super rugby. But. The way SARU has dealt with this smacks of incompetence and political pressure. The Kings was called to life to develop black talent, and it is not doing that, haven't done since 2005 when they were told they'll get a Super rugby berth. The resultant is SARU bowed under the pressure and simply replaced one poor Franchise for another, that doesn't solve anything.
kid k
Guest
Uncle argyle is it me or do you sound angry about the kings inclusion in super rugby but what you dont get is that no one in government is at Saru and another thing have you looked at the kings team it hardly even has any black players and its not like the kings are suddenly gonna throw out all the white players and say "sorry this is a black union" you have some serious issues dude a little anti-black IMO you need some therapy. At biltong you sound like a lions fan man i mean could the kings really do any worse than the lions? Seriously they set the bar pretty low dont you think? And i always hear about the lions 120 year history but you forget that thats the UNION at currie cup level the lions as a super franchise have a poor record
Sircoolalot
Guest
Chris remember that the White population of SA is around 4.5 million. They are the main consumers of rugby.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
All makes sense. Tx for the clarification biltong.
Invictus
Guest
My reply does not advocate either. I was simply answering another posters question. Based on the info available to me WS is the front runner for the next SR team. SR will expand, probably at the next broadcast deal. Whether it should or not is an entirely different question.
Argyle
Roar Guru
Can't agree with either of you. Australia can't service another Super team, especially in two uncertain markets like the Goldy and the greater west of Sydney. JON is pumping money into the 7's program have you not heard.
The Bush
Roar Guru
How the hell is this going to work? Any Super level player (or better, though there aren't many in the Lions), will now jump ship to get a contract elsewhere for next year. How will the Lions then have the talent to beat whoever comes last in 2013? All this system will do is ensure that the best players avoid the Cheetahs, Lions and Kings like the plague so they don't ahve to worry about being relegated every year and thus need to look for a new team. Stupid, stupid, decision.
Invictus
Guest
Don't think you will ever see promotion/relegation in the Aus conference - too much politics and too much vested interest.
Invictus
Guest
UA - Judging by the submissions in the 5th franchise bidding process, GWS is the soundest choice (economically). Unless you want it on the Gold Coast? I think that a rival franchise in West Sydney might be the kick in the pants necessary to get the Tahs to pull their heads out of their collective arses.
kovana
Guest
WELL, it seems im pretty sure that by 2015 the SR conference will basically be a Domestic CC championship with promotion and relegation between the Premier and First division. Thats awesome news. Also, NZ should follow suit and have the NZ conference with 6 teams basically become the NPC Premier division with Promotion and Relegation with their 2nd tier Championship Division which consists of 8 teams.. 2 things left would be : 1. Australia find another team in their conference by 2015/16.. Preferably another NSW team. 2. Have another 2 ozzie teams (1 QLD and 1 NSW) combine with the Teams from the 2nd tier NZ NPC teams to have a 2nd Tier Trans-Tasman comp...... With perhaps those 2 aussie teams having promotion/relegation matches against the lowest ranked Oz SR conference team.