Rename Southern Kings, says McKeever
If the new owners of the Isuzu Southern Kings are serious about stamping their identity on the franchise they must waste no time in renaming the ailing side, rugby entrepreneur Tony McKeever said.
The former CEO of the Southern Spears franchise was talking ahead of a presentation by the owners on “The Way Forward” for the Kings.
Until now, the owners have been tight-lipped on what changes fans can expect.
“Changing the name will herald a commitment to change and discard all the baggage that has kept the Kings in the weeds,” McKeever said.
“Extensive research among rugby clubs and constituencies has shown it should be named the Mandela Bay Saints.
“It is a name that has been tested to reflect the courage, character and commitment of the team echoing Mandela Bay and the Mandela Bay Stadium.”
The business consortium, which has acquired a 74% stake in the Kings, is expected to give detailed information on its plans at a launch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday.
McKeever, who stood for president of the EP Rugby Union two years ago, has followed the fortunes of the franchise closely over a decade.
In 2018, he brought the billionaire owner of Stade Francais, Dr Hans-Peter Wild, to Port Elizabeth to meet EP Rugby president Andre Rademan and his executive.
He has also urged the owners to sign top players to put the franchise back on its feet.
“The owners will need R50m a year for four years so players and personnel can be contracted for one year [with performance clause] with an option to renew for a further year or two, to create continuity,” McKeever said.
“These contracts need to mirror the duration and participation of the franchise in the PRO14.
“The franchise needs to receive the broadcast revenues for this, not SA Rugby.
“This is so the schools, junior teams, university teams and senior players and coaches can all be developed with a coherent and ongoing programme.
“It is a high standard that has to be attained from day one – there can be no learning on the job because every single week there are over 100 games played. These cannot be put on hold.
“Otherwise, the franchise will continue to remain chopped liver at the bottom of the table.
“This haemorrhaging of games, players, coaches and money has to stop immediately.
“If they don’t know this already, it will be a fierce, unforgiving baptism of fire.”
SA rugby boss Jurie Roux wants the new owners to give the franchise the ammunition they need to grow into a force in the PRO14.
Ahead of the launch, the consortium were keeping their cards close to their chests when pressed about their plans for the ailing PRO14 franchise.
“We will be making various announcements, but only after contracts have been signed,” consortium spokesperson Rory Stear said.
The Kings have struggled to make an impact in the PRO14.
Consortium head Loyiso Dotwana said: “We have followed a rigorous process to take control of the franchise, but we have been single-minded throughout – that bringing ownership of the Southern Kings into local hands will be good for the team and good for the region.
“We are rugby people who understand the Eastern Cape, the passion of the people for rugby and just how much a successful Kings team would mean to this region.
“We are focused and determined to deliver that success.”