Cloud hangs over Kings’ coaching staff
A cloud is hanging over the Isuzu Southern Kings coaching staff as speculation over the underperforming team’s future continues to swirl after last week’s sudden SA Rugby takeover.
With The Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World (GRC) no longer in control, Kings interim head coach Robbi Kempson and his assistants Vuyo Zangqa and Braam van Straaten could face an uncertain future.
The possibility of ambitious new owners coming in could result in changes in the coaches’ box.
Considering the team’s woeful form (one win in 13 matches), questions have been asked about where the franchise is heading.
Any change, however, is unlikely to be immediate as SA Rugby babysits the cashstrapped franchise.
Despite their lack of success, insiders say the Kings can expect at least one more season in the PRO14.
There was an indication of long-term stability at the beleaguered franchise on Tuesday, when the team announced they had signed Sharks scrumhalf Cameron Wright on a two-year deal.
When SA Rugby stepped in last week to take administrative control, they said all staff and players of the franchise had been retained.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has made it clear that his union would welcome new owners after GRC’s exit.
In addition, there is talk that EP Rugby Union president Andre Rademan and his ambitious executive might be planning a bid to take control of the franchise.
“I cannot stress enough how reluctant we are to resume control of the Southern Kings,” Alexander 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.”
Since Kempson took over from Deon Davids last year, the Kings have endured tough times on the field with their youthful squad.
SA Rugby are clearly concerned about the team’s dismal form which has resulted in them losing vital support.
Alexander said SA director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was working with Kempson on immediate team needs.
SA Rugby may also send various specialist coaches to the Kings to help the team in a possible return to action.
In the past, members of SA Rugby’s “mobi unit” often visited Port Elizabeth to lend their advice to the thinly spread Kings’ coaching panel.
Alexander said a new board would be appointed to supervise the franchise’s affairs and ensure the team was prepared for the resumption of regular competition.
The Kings are scheduled to return to action in a PRO14 match against the Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth on August 22.
Under their previous owners, the Kings had clearly reached a frustrating dead end.
After they took over, it became clear they had no intention to splash to cash and parachute in big-name stars to get the side on the winning track.
Their approach was a more cautious one where they aimed to gain incremental growth by nurturing local talent.
It was a strategy which paid no dividends and when the PRO14 season was put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kings were bottom of the log with only one win from 13 games.
Crowds deserted the team in droves and there were few signs that the team were making progress.
Under the GRC, the Kings did not have access to sufficient cash needed to sign quality players and this hampered the growth of the team.
While the Kings’ rivals have been signing new players, the cash-strapped Port Elizabeth outfit has been losing players.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis has retired, and they will be also without Schalk Ferreira, Sarel Pretorius and Rossouw de Klerk, whose contracts were not renewed.
Catrakilis, who had played for the Kings in Super Rugby in 2013, was one of the Kings’ biggest signings after the GRC took control.
They have also lost hardrunning centre Howard Mnisi to the Cheetahs and insiders say the versatile Masixole Banda could be on his way to play for Griquas in the Currie Cup.