Tightheads & Loose Balls

● The Southern Kings have a right to feel good about life. They have a new sponsor and an equity partner that should help them get on a level footing if the rugby thinking caps are screwed on to maximise the raw rugby resources available in the Eastern Cape. The name of the consortium that's the equity partner though had Tightheads in stitches: The Greatest Rugby Company In The Whole Wide World Pty (Ltd). In light of SA's rugby state which doesn't quite see anything humorous on and off the field, this name is enough to make any verkrampte rugby supporter crack a wee smile. Creativity isn't something that thrives in SA rugby.

● While there’s everything funny about the name of the consortium, everything about who is part of the group is serious. Vuyo Zitumane, the CEO of Amatola Water, is on the board, which is chaired by the experienced construction expert and rugby enthusiast Loyiso Dotwana. Old Grey and experienced businessman Rory Stear are also part of the consortium, giving the Southern Kings the boardroom muscle to help their on-field operations. The Kings have somehow found a way to keep their heads above the water line despite their unending struggles over the past few years. Here's hoping they can now move from strength to strength. With a sponsor like Isuzu, it’s a must that they deliver.

● Talking of strength, it’s clear the rugby world has some catching up to do with the All Blacks to the point where almost any advantage and infraction has to be used against them. When Steven Hansen’s side ran roughshod over the Wallabies in Sydney last week, an eagle-eyed Tim Horan, the touchline commentator, was at pains to point out that Waisake Naholo could have been ahead of Beauden Barrett when he chipped ahead in the lead-up to the try. The replays proved him wrong but the pain of another home loss to the All Blacks was all the more difficult to stomach, especially for the two-time World Cup winner that Horan is.