Kings bid decision to drag on
A final decision on the bid by a business consortium to take control of the Isuzu Southern Kings will drag on beyond Sunday’s high-stakes summit meeting between rugby bosses.
After Sunday’s gathering, the consortium will then meet with EP Rugby Union clubs at a special general meeting at a date yet to be decided.
In a letter to clubs seen by The Herald, the special general meeting is for the “final adoption” of the bid.
Consortium spokesperson Loyiso Dotwana is expected to address stakeholders on Sunday about the attempt to secure a 74% stake in the Kings.
“At Sunday’s meeting we want all the stakeholders to be on the same page regarding the deal,” EP Rugby Union president Andre Rademan said.
“This is for everyone to buy into the deal so there can be a positive impact going forward for the franchise and the EPRU.”
In August, plans for the buyout bid and new sponsors Isuzu were first announced at a launch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
The other members of the consortium are businesspeople Gary Markson, Rory Stear, Kenny Govender and Vuyo Zitumane.
A delay in signing off the deal has meant the struggling Kings have not received extra funding to boost their team.
When they announced their buyout bid, the consortium said they wanted to build a professional and competitive team for the long run.
They said their long-term ambition was to achieve incremental growth which, ultimately, would result in the Kings winning the PRO14 Championship.
The Kings, who have gone on a month-long break, have only won one of their opening 10 matches. Asked if he was planning to recruit new players in 2019, Kings head coach Deon Davids said: “At this point there is a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes in terms of sponsorship and ownership deals.
“We are awaiting confirmation of those things and then we will be led on what is possible going forward.”
At this stage, it is still unclear whether Davids will be at the Kings in 2019, because he is on a shortlist to coach the Bulls Super Rugby team.
The other candidates are former Bok lock Victor Matfield and Pote Human.
“My commitment is here and I am enjoying myself here at the Kings. I went for the interviews and stuff and think the Bulls will make an announcement shortly.”