No shortage of leaders at Kings, says coach Kempson

If efforts to get contract extensions for three former skippers fail, several players are waiting in the wings to fill leadership roles, Southern Kings interim head coach Robbi Kempson says.

The Kings could be looking for a new captain if previous captains JC Astle, Schalk Ferreira and Stefan Ungerer don’t make the cut before rugby resumes in September.

With SA Rugby now controlling the purse strings at the franchise, it will be the mother body that decides whether the experienced trio remain part of the Kings’ plans.

The experienced trio were surprisingly omitted from a 38man squad which was named in anticipation of professional rugby resuming.

“The playing needs are being assessed and if there is any change in personnel an announcement will be made,” an SA Rugby spokesperson said.

Kempson said if efforts to get contracts for Astle, Fereira and Ungeer failed, there were several players who could step up to the plate.

“We are pretty fortunate in that regard,” he said.

“There are quite a number of players who have stepped up throughout the lockdown.

“You have Jacques du Toit in the hooking berth if you are thinking of leadership roles.

“Bobby De Wee has been exceptional with his leadership throughout the lockdown as well.

“New signing Cameron Wright is a leader in his own right and he is definitely a leader that can come into the mix.

“Yaw Penxe has been around for a long time and he also stands out, as well as Subusiso Sithole. so we are not lacking for leadership’ “So don t at think all. the team is lacking in leadership, but it would be great to have those three back in the mix.

“We are still in discussions with various provinces, and SA Rugby financing team and our board.”

Kempson said he had spoken to members of the new Kings board after the exit of the Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World.

“I have had conversations with board chair Andre Rademan and member Jannie Louw,” Kempson said.

SA Rugby has shown it is serious about helping the Kings by deploying seasoned administrators Monde Tabata and Louw to map a path forward.

EPRU finance and human resources chair Mbulelo Gidane will sit alongside Rademan on the new Kings board.

The fifth member of the board is independent member Gugu Nxiweni, who has been retained from the previous Kings board.

If Covid-19 restrictions allow the Kings to play behind closed doors in a bio-bubble, their inexperienced squad will face a test of endurance and willpower.

There are quite a number of players who have stepped up throughout the lockdown