Finally a plan to try and save the Kings
SA Rugby bosses deploy heavyweight rugby administrators to help sort out the crisis
Determined Isuzu Southern Kings chair Andre Rademan has spelt out his plans to put the ailing Guinness PRO14 franchise back on its feet.
Pulling no punches, Rademan says he realises the Eastern Cape rugby public is tired of people making promises about what they will and will not do with the Kings. Insiders say one of Rademan’s first assignments will be to engage with title sponsors Isuzu and convince them the future is bright under SA Rugby’s control.
A highly placed Saru source said: “Isuzu have indicated their intention is to end their relationship with the Kings, but the new board is hoping to engage with them first.”
Rademan says he is aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but his board will meet them head on.
“We’re not making any promises — because teams aren’t built on promises — our only pledge is that we’ll ensure solid foundations on which others can build rugby teams,” Rademan said.
Concerned SA Rugby bosses have deployed heavyweight rugby administrators Monde Tabata and Jannie Louw to help sort out the crisis facing the beleaguered franchise.
Tabata and Louw were named in a five-person board which was hastily assembled after SA Rugby took administrative control of the Kings last week.
EPRU finance and HR chair Mbulelo Gidane and independent member Gugu Nxiweni are also on the board.
“The Eastern Cape rugby public is probably tired of hearing people making promises about what they will and will not do with the Southern Kings,” Rademan said.
“There have been bold promises and new dawns along the way, based on the passion for the game and the undoubted talent pool in the Eastern Cape rugby community.
“You can’t blame people for wishing and hoping and imagining an exciting future.
“But let’s park the dreams for now.
“We’ve got a job of work to do and just like we have achieved with the EPRU — which now has money in the bank — we need to put the Kings back on a sound financial footing so we can build for the future.
“The new board — with two members from the EPRU, two from the SA Rugby executive council and one independent — is 100% aligned on the shortterm objectives and the medium-term needs.
These included “ensuring the back office is running smoothly, with payments and salaries made on time and to budget, going together with supporting the coaching staff and the players in their readiness for the return to train and play”.
“We trust that will be in the coming months — in whatever competitions is possible in the Covid-19 environment. That’s job number one.”
After the Kings’ previous owner, the Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World (GRC), failed to meet contractual commitments, SA Rugby were quick to take control of the embattled franchise.
“In the medium term, SA Rugby needs to divest itself of the 74% shareholding it has temporarily reacquired in the Kings,” Rademan said.
“We will be working with our fellow board members on a strategy to achieve that objective to the satisfaction of the Eastern Cape rugby community and the mother body.
“But the message right now is clear — this is a challenging time but also an exciting one with renewed alignment in the local rugby community and a sense of realism prevailing.”
Insiders said if EP expressed an interest in taking control, SA Rugby’s executive committee would probably be pleased.
“I cannot stress enough how reluctant we are to resume control of the Southern Kings,” Alexander has said.
“It is our last resort and we are keen to explore ways to return the shareholding to another’s hands, in conjunction with the EPRU [Eastern Province Rugby Union], the minority shareholder, who have given the required approval to the decision.”
A key component of any takeover plan would be the repayment of a R45m debt that is owed to SA Rugby.
The other 13 member unions will have an eye on this outstanding amount and it would affect how they react to any EP bid for control.
“Some kind of structure or arrangement would have to be made around settling that,” an insider said.