Nobody has done more for Kings than Cheeky Watson

I WRITE in reference to the article “Once were warriors!” by Vata Ngobeni that appeared in your Friday (March 17) edition. Ngobeni makes the absurd assertion that Cheeky Watson “was doing everything in his power to close down the (Southern Kings)”.

Ngobeni’s statement could not be further from the truth. Watson has gone above and beyond to help the franchise. When he took the reins the Kings were not participating in Super Rugby nor the Currie Cup Premier Division. Watson fought for their inclusion.

He was labelled the villain because the Lions were booted to give the Kings a position. This was, of course, not his fault but Saru happily passed on the blame as it was more convenient for them.

When Watson took over, to say that the Kings had little would be an understatement. Watson not only dedicated his time, but poured his own money into the union and furnished their offices with his own furniture. He is the only president of a major South African rugby franchise to have done so.

Moreover, I don’t think the presidents of the other unions would be willing to follow in his suit should they find themselves in a similar situation. Yes, Watson could not secure a sponsor but that was politics, not rugby, or even business.

In South Africa, the majority of available private funding lies in the hands of white capitalists. To deny that is to deny the simple facts of the landscape of our economy. These businessmen don’t like Watson. “Black business” don’t want to hurt the alliances that they have formed with their, arguably better connected and established, white counterparts.

Now the question remains: why don’t these people like Cheeky Watson? I have always been perplexed by this. The root of the rugby public’s dislike of Watson stems from his decision not to accept the Springbok jersey when it was offered to him.

Watson had the talent but declined the offer. The majority of South Africans were unable to represent their country because of the colour of their skin. Watson instead chose to stand in solidarity with his brothers, continuing to play alongside them in the Kwazakhele Rugby Union. Watson chose morality and the pursuit of equality over the supposed honour of a racist establishment – and to this day he is vilified for that decision.

Watson continues to be ostracised by the predominantly white rugby playing fraternity – and it is to this audience that Ngobeni is pandering to.

A simple investigation into the Kings’ predicament would reveal Watson as their champion, not their enemy. Watson’s departure from the union is a great loss. Nobody fought for the Kings with the determination and vigour Watson has, and I doubt anybody ever will. Sarah Boomgaard Durbanville

Thank you for your letter. There is no question that Cheeky Watson deserves immense respect and the gratitude of our country for his brave stance against the apartheid government.

But under Watson as president, the Kings have been plagued by an ongoing financial crisis, which has directly led to his resignation.

This included players not being paid for several months and receiving food vouchers after a R200 million sponsorship deal that Watson had promised failed to materialise.

It is a matter of record that under Watson’s watch, the union was liquidated and SA Rugby were forced to take over its administration. This is what our writer Vata Ngobeni was alluding to. – Executive Sports Editor Ian Smit