‘No quick-fix solutions for struggling Kings’
● Chair rules out any urgent interventions to get the team on the winning track
There are no quick-fix solutions for the embattled Isuzu Southern Kings and the road to success will not be an overnight phenomenon, Kings chair Loyiso Dotwana says.
Under interim head coach Robbi Kempson, the Kings have won only one of their opening 13 Guinness PRO14 matches and are marooned at the bottom of the log.
There have been five consecutive defeats at home, and only 1,892 fans watched the Kings lose to Connacht at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
Asked whether he was alarmed by his team’s losing streak, Dotwana said: “Yes, we are not proud of the recent results, but we have not reached a stage of alarm.
“As we have indicated from the beginning, the success of this franchise — on and off the field — will not happen overnight.
“Ourselves, the coaches and the players are seeing the steady progress that this young team is making.”
Dotwana ruled out any urgent interventions to get the team on the winning track.
“The road to success is not an overnight phenomenon — there are no quick fixes,” he said.
“The coaches and players remain committed to working hard towards the success of this franchise.
“We have no doubt that in time we will have a winning culture and the work that is being put in will bring the desired results.
“The Kings board continues the search for a head coach for the franchise.
Once we have concluded the process, we will make the necessary announcements.
“Naturally the owners are disappointed with the results and every effort is being made to improve the team’s results.”
Asked why the team had been unable to produce positive results, Dotwana said: “This is a young squad that has represented the Kings this season, with the majority getting their first taste of Guinness PRO14 rugby.
“Week in and week out we are up against quality opposition with world-class players.
“While [there is a] lack of experience at this level for some of the young players, they have been afforded the opportunity to measure themselves against some of the best in the world, and they can only grow from here.
“As is expected, at the end of the current campaign there will be a thorough review of the season where our coaches will be able to assess, among other things, the player personnel we have.
“Yes, we are continuously looking to grow and attract quality players to assist in the franchise achieving some success.
“Part of the review will include assessing which positions we may need to bolster, and also assessing the standing contracts of our current group of players, as some will have their contracts coming to an end once the season concludes.”
Dotwana said the success of the team was dependent on its fans.
“Our fans are an integral part of the success we want to achieve as a franchise,” he said.
“Much of our success is dependent on the support we receive from our supporters’ base.
“This franchise would cease to exist without the fans.
“We urge the people of the Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay to come out in their numbers for all of our other home matches at the Nelson
Mandela Bay Stadium.”
Asked if a lack of fitness was a possible reason for the team being unable to close out matches, Dotwana said: “This is a matter that Robbi Kempson and the coaching staff have addressed and are looking into.
“We had a good preseason programme under head of athletic performance, Wayne Taylor, and the team have been working hard throughout the season to ensure that fitness levels were maintained, and that will continue until the end of the season.”