No plans to boot Kings out of PRO14
Rassie Erasmus and Robbi Kempson liaising on immediate team needs, says Saru
There are no plans to boot the Isuzu Southern Kings out of the Guinness PRO14 despite the franchise being placed under SA Rugby Union administrative control.
That assurance was given by source at the highest level of power at SA Rugby as uncertainty regarding the Kings’ long-term future PRO14 continues to swirl.
SA Rugby said Rassie Erasmus, SA’s director of rugby, was busy liaising with Kings director of rugby and interim coach Robbi Kempson on immediate team needs.
Under their previous owners, Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World (GRC), the Kings did not have access to sufficient cash needed to sign quality players.
It is hoped, now that SA Rugby are in the driving seat, that the Kings will be able to be able to add extra firepower to their squad.
“The next step is to appoint a new board to oversee the franchise’s affairs and ensure the team is match-ready for when we are able to resume playing,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said.
The Kings are due back in PRO14 action on August 22 with a derby match against the Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth.
This season the underperforming Kings have won only one of their opening 13 matches and are bottom of the PRO14 log.
During the Covid-19 lockdown break, the Kings were labelled as “waste of time” team by legendary Irish hooker Keith Wood.
Wood feels they add no value to the tournament and the Port Elizabeth team will have to up their game if they want to remain part of the PRO14.
Insiders say the Kings, under an agreement struck during the ownership of the (GRC), have been guaranteed one more season in the PRO14.
However, with SA Rugby in control of the franchise, it remains to be seen whether that agreement will hold firm.
Since joining the Europeanbased competition in 2017, the Kings have won only four of the 55 matches they have played. The continued existence of the Kings in the PRO14 came under the microscope even before SA Rugby stepped in to take back its controlling 74% share.
PRO14 have made it clear that they want SA Super Rugby teams the Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks to join their northern hemisphere competition.
SA’s rugby fans have failed to warm to the PRO14, but that could change if the Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks were added to the mix.
If PRO14 bosses want five SA franchises in an enlarged 18-team competition, the Kings could find themselves heading for the exit door in the long term.
The Cheetahs are the other SA team now playing in the PRO14.
The Cheetahs have a better overall record than the Kings in the PRO14, and the Bay team will have to improve dramatically if they want to hang on to that status.
Their appalling record will surely count against them if PRO14 bosses have to cull a team to make room for SA’s four Super Rugby franchises.
Travelling to the north will also be easier for SA teams and it will also be financially more beneficial for all involved.
The one stumbling block for
New Zealand and Australia to get rid of SA from Super Rugby are broadcasting deals.
“We have always been very interested in SA.
“We like them and see them as a key part of our future,” PRO14 CEO Martin Anayi said.
“The tournament works well at the moment, but it could work better if you could add teams to it, so that’s one avenue potentially.”