Kings need to heed the wisdom of Solomons on Pro12 Weeks of intense fare ahead

VETERAN rugby coach Alan Solomons has warned that the Southern Kings can expect a fiery baptism when they make their expected debut in an enlarged European Pro12 tournament in just over two months.

The 66-year-old Solomons, who masterminded the Kings’ 2013 Super Rugby campaign, has also warned that the Kings will be at a distinct disadvantage because of all the travelling.

There has already been speculation that the Kings may have some of their home games in England at Saracens’ Allianz Arena in London to cut down on excessive travel.

The Cheetahs and Kings are expected to be cut from Super Rugby by the South African Rugby Union on Friday as the tournament is reduced from 18 to 15 teams.

Ironically the Kings and Cheetahs clash in their final Super Rugby clash in Port Elizabeth on July 14, so they will not have much time to regroup before the Pro12 kicks off in September.

“They’re not having a break at the end of a strenuous Super Rugby season,” Solomons said.

“They’re going into a competition that is literally nine months long. It will be brutal for them. That is massive.

“Players are very, very well-conditioned today, so the collisions are mighty.

“I think that is brutal and the logistics, in my opinion – they will have to play away from home for about three weeks at a time.

“They’ll have to come out on a three-week tour and play a block of games together. And then sides coming to South Africa will have to play both South African sides.”

The veteran coach believes both franchises would adapt well to their new league.

“Knowing the Pro12, both those teams as they are operating at the moment are well capable of being competitive,” he said.

“The Pro12 has always been a crossborder competition – none of the nations could have their own domestic competition because they don’t have sufficient playing numbers within their countries.

“I think it is a natural fit to have the Kings and the Cheetahs come in from a cross-border perspective.

“I think there will be benefit to both parties.

“It will be marvellous for the existing Pro12 teams to travel to South Africa and compete in a completely different environment.

“I do think there will be good support for the Cheetahs and the Kings. Certainly there will be bigger television audiences and I think that’ll help the Pro12.”

Solomons says spending long periods overseas would handicap the new additions in a gruelling tournament that lasts nine months.

“You’re not practising and living at home and that’s the disadvantage,” said Solomons.

“You’re not sleeping in your own bed in your own home environment. The South African sides are at a distinct disadvantage, there’s no question about that.

“But I think we have always felt like we were at a disadvantage geographically in Super Rugby and had to travel more than the others and there is little you can do about it.” THE pinnacle of age group school rugby action is set to kick off over the next two weeks as the various national rugby weeks take place across the country.

The four main weeks will be on show over a packed two-week schedule that will see top-class provincial rugby in full swing.

St Stithians in Johannesburg will be the host for the main event, the 2017 Coca-Cola Craven week, while the Academy week will also be played there, both from July 17-22.

Grey College in Bloemfontein will host the U16 Grant Khomo Week, and the U13 Craven Week, with that kicking off next week Monday.

Border will be sending eight teams to compete in the four weeks, with a main team and a country districts team taking part in each.

The Border Craven Week team will be looking to put in a big performance after a strong side was selected to take part this year.

“I am very confident with the team that we are taking. It is a very skilful team,” said Border Craven Week coach Mark Farnham.

The Border side took part in the Bondedag this past weekend, a sort of build up to the Craven Week. However, they were missing most of their team as they were playing in the Cape Schools week for their various school teams.

They lost their game against the Pumas 31-17, but it will have been a good run out for a number of players.

The Border Craven Week team’s first match of the festival, on Monday July 17, will be a massive clash against the hosts, the Lions.

The Border Academy team will open their rugby week on Tuesday July 18 against the Leopards, while the Border Academy country districts team play the Blue Valke on the same day, while the Border country districts Craven Week side plays Limpopo on Monday July 17.

The Border Grant Khomo side play the Lions on the first day this coming Monday, while the country districts team play against the Griffons.

The Border U13 team will take on the Pumas, also this coming Monday, while the country districts side will play Zimbabwe.

The rest of the various weeks’ fixtures will all be decided after the end of each day’s play, based on the results of each team.