Consortium meeting in Kings buyout bid ‘will not be the end of the matter’

A final decision on the bid by a business consortium to take control of the Isuzu Southern Kings will drag on beyond Sunday’s high-stakes summit meeting between rugby bosses.

After Sunday’s gathering the consortium will then meet with Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) clubs at a special general meeting at a date yet to be decided.

In a letter to clubs, the special general meeting is for the “final adoption” of the bid.

Consortium spokesperson Loyiso Dotwana is expected to address stakeholders on Sunday about the attempt to secure a 74% stake in the Kings.

“At Sunday’s meeting we want all the stakeholders to be on the same page regarding the deal,” said EPRU president Andre Rademan.

“This is so that everyone buys into the deal so there can be a positive impact going forward for the franchise and the EPRU.”

In August, plans for the buyout bid and the new sponsors Isuzu were first announced at a launch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The other members of the consortium are businessmen Gary Markson, Rory Stear and Kenny Govender and businesswoman Vuyo Zitumane.

A delay in signing off the deal has meant that the struggling Kings have not received extra funding to boost their team.

When they announced their buyout bid, the consortium said they wanted to build a professional and competitive team for the long run.

They said their long-term ambition was to achieve incremental growth which, ultimately, would result in the Kings winning the Pro14 Championship. Asked if he was planning to recruit new players in 2019, Kings head coach Deon Davids said: “We are awaiting confirmation of those things and then we will be led on what is possible going forward.”