Saru takes over running of the Southern Kings
Eastern Province franchise having difficulty paying players’ wages
SUPER Rugby 2016 is three months away and this week the South African Rugby Union (Saru) were forced to step in to assist the Southern Kings to ensure they are ready to take part in the expanded 18-team tournament.
But it’s not only in South Africa where there are problems. Japan’s new franchise, the Sunwolves, are also without a coach and a full player roster, as the tournament looms closer.
After Japan’s heroics in the recent World Cup, it seemed that their success story would continue at provincial level during Super Rugby. But that’s not the reality.
Players such as star fullback Ayuday mu Goromaru, who scored 24 points in the Brave Blossoms’ 34-32 win over the Springboks at the World Cup, has signed for the Reds. Scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka will continue to play for the Highlanders instead of turning out for a franchise based in Tokyo while Japan captain Michael Leitch remains loyal to the Chiefs.
In Port Elizabeth, Saru have effectively taken over the management of the Southern Kings. There has been speculation that Saru will hire and fire at the Eastern Province Rugby Union, but that is off the mark.
Saru awards six Super Rugby licences and their only interest at this stage is ensuring that the Kings franchise can deliver a well-coached squad that is paid on time. It’s a matter of pride as it was Saru who pushed for the Kings’ inclusion in the competition.
In times of crisis the governing body can step in and run any franchise as they see fit. They reached that point with the Kings on Tuesday. It means Saru can appoint the coach and contract players, but at this stage it will be more oversight than day-to- GONE TO THE BULLS: Loose forward Tim Agaba has left the Kings running of the franchise.
“I hope we will be able to reveal the new management processes of the Kings and other details in a week or two,” Saru chief executive Jurie Roux said. “For the moment our focus is on sorting out finances and identifying the playing and coaching needs for Super Rugby participation.”
A major issue that has undermined EP has been lack of funds and inability to pay wages. Paying salaries at the union remains an EP problem, but wages to contracted Super Rugby staff will be met with Saru’s backing.
It’s understood Saru will not dip LOST TALENT: Eastern Province were unable to hold onto prop Lizo Gqoboka JAPANESE HERO: Ayumu Goromaru has signed for the Reds
It’s a matter of pride as it was Saru who pushed for the Kings’ inclusion in the competition
into its reserves to pay, and payment will come from a third party.
EP president Cheeky Watson has spoken vaguely of a sponsor but has missed every deadline set.
There has been background movement to find funds from a local sponsor to meet the Kings’ wage bill.
In terms of other expertise the Saru Mobi unit headed by rugby manager Rassie Erasmus will also be involved in helping with coaching at the Kings. Erasmus himself might not roll up his sleeves but coaches such as defence expert Jacques Nienaber and scrum coach Pieter de Villiers will be involved in a more hands-on way.
Due to EP’s inability to pay wages on time, several high-profile players have left the union, though the haemorrhaging should stop now that there is more financial stability, for Super Rugby players at least.
But as the supposed poster union for black player talent in SA, losing the likes of prop Lizo Gqoboka and loose forward Tim Agaba to the Bulls, has been a blow.
“I’m never happy to lose any player and it was painful to lose black players,” Watson said. “But we go on.”