Many rugby supporters in the Eastern Cape Province are jumping for joy following a decision by the executive of the South Africa Rugby Union to grant the Southern Kings franchise a slot in the Super Rugby next year – at the expense of the Lions.
However, judging by feedback on local blogs, news media and talk shows, Lions fans – and administrators – are of course, seething.
They are harshly criticising SA rugby authorities for sounding the Lions’ death knell as it regards Super Rugby participation next year. Even the Lions powers-that-be are unhappy that the Kings franchise have been awarded a slot without, “having to work for it”.
Kevin de Klerk, president of the Lions Rugby, say they have accepted the decision in principle, but it is grossly unfair that the Lions should bow out in this fashion.
But memories can be short sometimes. The Kings were promised a Super Rugby slot about seven years ago, but that never materialised up until now, for obvious reasons.
Eastern Province at the time did not have the players, financial, and management capacity to play in such a huge competition; there was also a changing of the guard at SA rugby union headquarters in Johannesburg.
Oregan Hoskins stepped into the breach as SA rugby union president and had to carefully evaluate the promise made to the Kings by his predecessors, as he would not have been party to it. At about the same time, in stepped former top rugby player and crusader for non-racial sport in the Eastern Cape Province, Daniel ‘Cheeky’ Watson.
In his new role of EP Rugby president, Watson started putting the pressure back onto SA rugby union regarding Super Rugby participation. Watson certainly got the ball rolling again with SARU eventually giving the Eastern Province rugby union the assurance that it would have a representative in Super Rugby from 2013.
This followed the EP rugby union’s turnaround under Watson’s leadership. However this promise was still clouded in controversy up to a week ago, when the final decision was made, through a unanimous vote which sees the Kings one of the SA representatives in the Super Rugby next season – in place of the Lions.
The Lions probably have reason to feel aggrieved about having to sit on the sidelines next season. They were unaware that a decision of such magnitude would be dropped on them in such dramatic fashion. There is also much to lose by sitting out the Super Rugby in terms of money and sponsorships. A figure of 50 million Rand (around AU$5.7 million) in losses has been bandied about in the local media.
The Lions also feel that a promotion-relegation match is the way to go to decide any franchise’s fate in any high-profile competition.
The meeting where the vote to decide the Kings’ future in Super Rugby was taken was postponed several times. Eastern Province rugby authorities as well as their fans thought that SA rugby union authorities were merely using delaying tactics so a way could be found to scupper the word-of-mouth agreement.
Reports then surfaced, before the official announcement that Kings have been given the nod, that Cheeky Watson’s union were ready to accept a settlement of 40-million Rand, in return for not being included in the competition. The reports also stated that the Lions-EP Kings would merge their operations for the Super Rugby tournament. But Watson rubbished the reports in the build-up to the final meeting – and all of it proved to be mere mischievous rumour-mongering.
Watson is however not happy with the fact that the Kings have only been guaranteed Super Rugby status for one year only. The bottom South African team in the Super Rugby will play a promotion-relegation match against the Lions at the end of next season, to decide who will play and who sits out the competition in 2014.
Watson, though over the moon that the hard work has paid off, is furious with the one-season only arrangement. Watson believes SA Rugby authorities have already sounded the Kings’ death knell by guaranteeing them a slot for only one season, and are expecting them to do the impossible in their first season – retaining their Super Rugby status.
It is already a late start for the Kings. Sponsors still have to be secured as well as player contracts.
Then there is the all-important management structure, marketing, technical team, etc. – and there are frantic days ahead before the season kicks off. Watson has already lodged a dispute with the SA rugby union with regards to the one-season commitment awarded to the Kings. He believes they need at least two seasons.
Conversely, the Lions are also said to be weighing up their options regarding possible legal action about their non-participation next year.
The Kings are in fact competing in the Currie Cup First Division (a step down from the elite Currie Cup) and frantic efforts are afoot to secure big-name players who can beef up the squad for the major step up to Super Rugby. There is talk that excess players from the Lions might be given the go-ahead to sign up for the Kings.
Western Province’s Demetri Catrekillis is on the verge of signing up and there is talk that the Kings are luring the likes of Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who has come under the tutelage of former Lions assistant coach, Carlos Spencer.
New Kings coach, Matt Sexton, formerly of Canterbury Crusaders has already arrived from New Zealand, while ex-Stormers coach Alan Solomons is head of the technical staff.
Kings supporters are of course cock-a-hoop over the developments – and rightfully so. But many are also realistic, saying the odds are stacked against the Kings to retain their Super Rugby status next season. Can they prove the doomsayers wrong?
peterlala
Guest
mactheblack, thanks for this insight into the Kings. I appreciate the complex make-up of rugby, it brings a lot to the sport.
superba
Guest
Matt thanks for bringing some maturity to this debate.
Lloyd
Guest
The Port Elizabeth metropolitan has a population of around 1.3mil and the Kings franchise will not only represent PE but the entire EC of over 6.5mil so it's not really the same as Darwin. It's a rugby loving region with some of the best players coming out of PE and surrounds. It is a shame that the largest city will not have a franchise in SR but it can be said that the Lions made their own bed. Mismanagement of funds and players is to blame.
Leo
Guest
There alot of players in West Syney, Hawkes Bay and South Auckland and thats why they have the Waratahs, Hurricanes and Blues/Chiefs. There are alot of players in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and that is why they now have the Southern Kings.
Leo
Guest
Mate if your a rugby fan you know developments comes after success and it will take time. The same goes for Melbourne Rebels and Western Force in Australia they are there for developments. Both teams started of with no local players and now there are one or two in their squads and plenty in their development XV.
Leo
Guest
The only different with that sheek is that Darwin and Rotorua do not have the numbers of players and rugby schools in their country like the Kings.
tc
Guest
Matt if that's your reasoning then the Kings should have been in instead of the Rebles , South African rugby on a whole is far more intrenched then in Australia , also I believe there are legal ramifications over this issue and SANZAR won't say a word because South Africa were promised a sixth team in 2013 . If this means more black South Africans start going throught the turnstiles , LET'S GO i say.
Tamzien
Guest
ANC bank rolling them? Please state specifics instead of rumor and conjecture. As for the unused talent I think I addressed that on my original post. Currently there are no rugby prospects for youngsters in the region but a wealth of talent in the schools. It just makes rugby sense to have a franchise there. With the money will come exposure and hopefully trophies. The lions have had both and have nothing to show for it except a championship in a world cup year and a list of debtors. This is a tough situation alround but a franchise in the EC is long overdue.
pim
Guest
very well said Matt- the problem is when politics get involved all reason goes out the back door
pim
Guest
This situation with all the good rugby schools has been like this for years. What have they done with it??. And do not talk about money- the ANC have been bank rolling them for years and like anything they touch turns to turds.The fact is no self respecting provincial rugby player with some future in the game will go & play for them. When the Kings come in they will lose every game & come stone last. What a joke! ( At least the Lions won the Currie cup last year & the Kings could not even win the B-section)
Matt
Guest
What a Mickey Mouse series of event, representing a Mickey Mouse organisation! SARU must be crazy if they think their SANZAR partners are happy with this decision. In fact I don't really know how this has legally been allowed to happen? You can't just turf teams out and promote teams up for no apparent reason? Will it bring more money, no. Will it increase ratings, no. Will it make the SA conference more entertaining and competitive, no. What again was the logical, non racially political reason for this decision? That there are lot's of people who play rugby there. Great, there are lot's of rugby players in Western Sydney or South Auckland or Hawkes Bay. Just because you produce young players doesn't mean you can run a professionally competitive side who can afford the finances to retain and attract that talent. I have always been very keen for the Kings to enter Super Rugby, but in the right way and at the right time. Sadly neither has been achieved and everyone else will suffer except the Kings here. South African teams will get less money hosting the Kings and a weaker opposition. NZ and Aus will see ratings drop, as they'll effectively be playing again a bunch of second tier Currie Cup players coached by Kiwi guy with next to no experience! Crazy. I know those guys commenting from the Eastern Cape think they are owed something here and that it's great for rugby in their region. But they miss the point of just how silly the timing and details of this decision are. What's the chances that the Kings will get relegated next season and then lose the 2014 and 2015 P/R game too. They'll then go under financially and any players they've recruited will leave along with their coaches. Then, in 2016 when they should have entered the competition with 4 years of planning and a financial payout from SARU, instead you'll have a franchise tarnished with lurching failure. The idea isn't wrong to have the Kings in Super Rugby. But the impatient and selfish promotion to have the team thrusted upon everyone else in this way is just plain arrogant stupidity. Forget the amateur sentiments and think about it from a professional business perspective. It's just going to cause more damage long term.
Tamzien
Guest
Vilifying Cheeky Watson is old hack. The truth is that his actions shine a spotlight on the inaction of so many who had less to lose during the dark days. Who are these fabled ANC connections? What have they explicitly done to bring about the promotions of the Kings. Mac's article points out clearly the people involved in the decision to include the Kings. The driving force behind their inclusion of the kings is that it has a been the bedrock for talent for decades. Also some of the regions top rugby playing schools were the first to be integrated and have produced a number of talented youngsters. These kids often have to move to other regions to ply their trade since there are no rugby playing prospects in the region. Many of them stop playing since local boys with local reputations are selected for the marginal positions. (obviously top players pick themselves) this still means that a significant player pool is lost year in year out. Just to give an indication of size of the talent pool in the region of the top 25 rugby schools in SA this year they distributed across the franchises for next year as follows: 9 = Southern Kings (SWD + EP + Border) 8 = Stormers (WP + Boland) 5 = Bulls (Blue Bulls + Lions + Pumas + Falcons) 2 = Cheetahs ( Free State + Griquas) 1 = Sharks (Natal Sharks) (source http://www.rugby365.com/article/49213-fnb-top-20-21-august-2012) It makes rugby sense to tap into that talent pool. finish and klaar!! Go Kings!!!!!!!!!!
Sam
Guest
SARU might be better off going back to fielding their 5 best Currie Cup sides and disband their franchises.
Guys, you don't get it. I have said before I have no issue that the Kings get a spot in Super XV, but then it must be for the development of black rugby, not just another Franchise that contracts from all over. The point is is if the Kings go head hunt players, where is the develop that was promised?
Lloyd
Guest
A promotion/relegation match to see who enters the 2013 season is unrealistic and unfair to the Kings. The Lions have benefitted financially for years from SR and have done nothing with it. Would they beat the Kings? Yes because the have the players that they have gained through SR money. No other team will EVER get a chance against the current 5 SR teams unless they are handed the chance (as the Kings have been) to earn better money and aquire better players. Black development will come over time - you can't expect 15 no names to run out and be competitive, you have to develop talent around the existing talent - that is why they are buying players from other provinces. These things take time. Coming from the EC and not giving a crap about politics in sport I am still over the moon to FINALLY have a local SR team to support, something that JoBurg have had for years.
Chris
Guest
Hope the Brumbies play the Kings next year then. Guaranteed 5 points. By the same token I hope the Reds don't play them!
Vic
Guest
Know Port Elizabeth and Jozi quite well having spent a bit of time in both. Bit staggered they would swap a city which is essentially like a Melbourne, for what is in essence a Geelong. PE too is a fair way from other cities, whilst Jo-burg is right near Pretoria, Rustenberg etc.. with a very large population base. The rugby supporter base in the Eastern Cape has been diluted with a lot of people in that demographic migrating to Australia and Britain. They do have a lovely stadium, but I do not see the sense in it. You would say the next tv rights for Super Rugby will take a hit. The Jo-burg metro area is a large chunk of the audience. But as they say, TIA. That is Africa!
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Wow. I don't quite know what to make of this, being an Australian I know that some of my initial feelings might be a bit wide of the mark. Obviously every union has their own way of doing things and that's influenced by the culture of that country. My Australian initial reaction is that I can't understand how they expect the team to be at all competitive in this short space of time. They are going to need significant payroll to lure players from more stable positions. Can anyone say why the Griquas (in the premier division of Currie Cup) wouldn't be the side admitted into the Super Rugby tournament next. If this was a slightly fair process that is? What are the chances that the Lions could win any legal action? It's hard as an Australian to know how to think about this because I don't know what contracts/obligations/processes there are in place to decide who should play. I'd imagine it would be pretty tough for the ARU to just say the Waratahs are no good lets put in Wagga Wagga first's instead... People above are rightly talking about player movement. I would imagine it's very hard for a team in the second tier of the Currie Cup to keep the better players in the squad. Would be an interesting study to see how many players from different teams currently in Super Rugby originated from that area. Worst case scenario is that the Force and Rebels might be able to pick up an extra win! :P
tc
Guest
Well done MAC ,when you boil it all down and get rid of the nicities RACISM rears its ugly head ,GO THE KINGS ,you couldn't do any worse than the Lions .Sheek thats a long bow my friend. What are some people worried about come 2016 both teams will be in anyway.
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
Great article Mac and I agree with your reply to Biltongbek wholeheatedly. EP should be given the chance. It will be great for the game and great for the Eastern Cape! Biltongbek I am the first to criticise the insidious poltiical corruption and intereference in SA sport but your words of Cheeky Watson are totally subjective. The man stood against the powerful white elite at a time when few had the courage to do so. I think him and his son Luke have been victimised unfairly. Well done Cheeky!!!!!!