EP Kings have Solly to thank
25 Oct 2010
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says Alan Solomons has maximised his resources in Port Elizabeth.
It is no exaggeration to emphasise the importance of the Eastern Province Kings beating the Pumas and playing in next year’s Currie Cup Premier Division. It is also no exaggeration to emphasise the contribution of Kings director of rugby and head coach Alan Solomons in making this all possible.
Solomons, in a season, has done what the politicians and the rugby administrators have been speaking about for the past five years, which is to turn Eastern Province into a rugby region once again.
There were no pre-season promises from Solomons that in 2011 Eastern Province would again be among the top eight premier domestic sides in South Africa. There was no handout from South African rugby in the form of a restructured Currie Cup competition that accommodated the Eastern Cape by way of Eastern Province. There was no treasure chest, filled with cash to buy the best players and buy a winning culture.
All Solomons enjoyed, by way of luxury, was his passion, that of provincial president Cheeky Watson and the warrior spirit of De Wet Barry to lead a bunch of wannabes and could have beens.
Solomons, like he did when he was at UCT, Western Province and Ulster, relied on passion and a work ethic that has never failed and never ceased to amaze those around him.
Many class players have promised Solomons they will sign with the Kings when the side’s Super Rugby participation is guaranteed, which is supposedly 2013, but understandably none were prepared to sign for a team in the First Division and more familiar with a wooden spoon than the silver spoon.
Eastern Province rugby has been a mess for some time. Administratively it has been a jungle that has attracted every sort. Watson has restored integrity to the boardroom in the province but all that restores respect to a team is consistently positive results.
Not only did Solomons have to battle cynicism and the stench of mediocrity, but he had to build a winning culture with players who will be lucky to make it to Super Rugby because their talent doesn’t match their enthusiasm.
The result has been as remarkable as the 36-all away draw to the Pumas in the first of two promotion-relegation matches; the very same Pumas who went to Coca Cola Park (Ellis Park to the traditionalists) a fortnight ago and whipped John Mitchell’s hyped Lions.
Mitchell has rightly been praised for finding the occasional roar in the Lions this year, but seven wins from 14 is a telling statistic that demands acknowledgement and therefore perspective.
Solomons’ effort also demands perspective and the kind of acknowledgement that has always been denied him in South African rugby.
Solomons is not popular among South African rugby administrators because he is intelligent, hard working and has never suffered a fool. When involved with Western Province and the Springboks (as Nick Mallett’s assistant in 1997 and 1998) he encountered many fools and never excused their incompetence. He was vocal in his criticism and refused to play the political game of politeness.
In Watson he has found an ally and comfort that having an opinion is a good thing and exercising one’s right to think is even better. He has a provincial president who enjoys an intelligent coach and promotes the value of debate.
Solomons challenges any stereotype and his urgency and intensity scares more people than it seduces, but he has an ability to maximise any resource and the one thing he has always had is loyalty from players.
Barry, a WP and Solomons favourite 10 years ago, is an example of this loyalty, but those players who are close to Solomons will also tell you that they know they have Solomons’ loyalty, which is why he so often gets a return on his player investments.
Solomons is a sporting cliche because so much of what he does is based on the principle that a close team is a successful one – and there’s nothing wrong with sporting cliche that make us smile.
Eastern Province rugby is a point away from reaching the point from which there should never be a return to the sort of mediocrity Solomons inherited.
Never has a play-off promotion match mattered so much to South African rugby because an EP victory will be so much more than a win on the rugby field.
And for that Alan Solomons, Cheeky Watson and De Wet Barry can never be thanked enough.
Follow SA Rugby mag on Twitter
245 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All
25 Oct 2010, 11:05 am
Grateful Dragons?
25 Oct 2010, 11:06 am
Nice one Keo, and good to see you praise the work Watson did behind the scenes too.
Best of luck to the Kings.
25 Oct 2010, 11:07 am
But as far as promotion/relegation play-off matches go, what a complete waste.
If you end top, and end bottom, you get promoted or relegated. Why they have to go into a play-off situation is beyond me.
25 Oct 2010, 11:13 am
but if they lose…it’s back to square one, and hand out’s and free rides demanded, isn’t it?
25 Oct 2010, 11:18 am
nice piece Keo!!
25 Oct 2010, 11:19 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-4: the stench of cynicism & mediocrity in this post is nauseating…
25 Oct 2010, 11:26 am
You have to feel for the Pumas. I think that must have been the best season by a team other than the usual suspects (and well done to Griquas to being included in that) in a very very long time. I am not sure if I want the Kings to go through at all costs.
And yes EP did play well, but amount of mercenaries in that team is a bit worrying. Ok, guess you can say that once they are competing and getting funds the talent will start to come through from the bottom.
25 Oct 2010, 11:27 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-3: I reckon this system is better than straight promotion / relegation. It still makes sure that the better sides play as there can be a huge gap between the two divisions.
Also after a couple of games next year, nobody can turn around and say the Pumas deserved to stay (thats if the Kings do the business this weekend).
25 Oct 2010, 11:28 am
@wpjoulekkading(wpjoulekkading)-7: The usual suspects are full of Eastern Cape players but that is just fine hey.
25 Oct 2010, 11:29 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-3: Agreed, the Leopards and Pumas didn’t use their opportunities. Time to go.
It’t will be great to have an EP side back in the Currie Cup. Hope they can finish of the Pumas next week.
On the other side it would be nice to see how the Pumas can develop if they do move to Nelspruit (with the beautifull Mbombela Stadium.) It will be a way more attractive option for prospective players than Witbank.
The people are hungry for rugby in Nelspruit. In the 2 games against the Bulls and WP there were around 20 000 people each time around.
25 Oct 2010, 11:31 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-9: Fair enough, and that was what I was saying, if they are succesful I guess the talent will stay put and maybe also come back. But for me there is a little bit of a mismatch at the moment between the EP team that is being marketed and the team that jogs and onto the field.
25 Oct 2010, 11:31 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-8:
It creates a silly situation though.
Both the Kings and SWD cares more about being promoted, than winning the first division title – which both teams contested for last weekend.
So you have a situation where coaches will rest their top players in a semi or final, in order to play their best in the promo-relegation affair as financially, it means more to the union.
Similarly, the premier division teams more or less know 2 or 3 weeks in advance who will end bottom, so for the last 3 or so round robin games in the premier division, they also experiment to ensure they hit top form when the player in the promo/relegation battles to keep their spots.
25 Oct 2010, 11:33 am
expect a full house on Friday night!!! okay not a full house, but 25 000 + !!!
25 Oct 2010, 11:35 am
@wpjoulekkading(wpjoulekkading)-11: who do you want to see, Mbhiyozo, Nodikida, Stick, Nelson, Payi in every single game?
25 Oct 2010, 11:36 am
@wpjoulekkading(wpjoulekkading)-11: why does transformation and player development have to happen overnight in the case of EP, when far wealthier better structured franchises / unions can’t get it right after nearly 20 years.
The fact is that everyone fears that EP / EC / Spears / Kings will actually get it right if they are given the right structures, finances and opportunities so they sabotage and expect miracles to happen on a stopwatch or its a failure before it starts.
EP might just be proving all the doomsayers wrong after all … just look at post 4.
The talent will stay and Odwa and Rory might be the first couple of guys heading back.
25 Oct 2010, 11:36 am
Nice article , there is so much negative reporting around , so this was a nice change. It’s nice to see the EP Region finally moving forwad. Many fringe players from Bulls , Sharks and Province will go play there to get more gametime which can only create more depth in our rugby.
25 Oct 2010, 11:37 am
Good to see the outstanding Michael Bondesio, the Leopards scrumhalf, has ben picked up by a bigger union. It looks like he is set to go to the Lions.
25 Oct 2010, 11:37 am
@Pypkan(Pypkan)-10: Come on, the Pumas had a decent season. These are some highlights:
Pumas Leopards 37-32
Pumas Sharks 17-27
Pumas Lions 30-33
Pumas Bulls 22-21
Pumas Leopards 26-27
Pumas Lions 27-34
Ok, of course there were also some shockers in between. But this is surely something they could build on if they get the chance. On the other hand the north is quite a bit over-presented with the Lions, Bulls, Cheetahs, Leopards and Pumas in the Premier division. So in that sense the Kings will bring some balance at least.
25 Oct 2010, 11:37 am
“And for that Alan Solomons, Cheeky Watson and De Wet Barry can never be thanked enough.”
Good to read a positive article at last on EP, Cheeky, Solly and De Wet…
Cheeky catches much flak but he has set the stage that has allowed Solly to come in and draw the best from his players…
Very good article Keo…!!!
Now we just need EP to clear the final obstacle and win on Friday…!!!
Seems to be a groundswell of support building for them… Great to see…
GO KINGS!!!
25 Oct 2010, 11:38 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-14: not forgetting tiger mangweni
25 Oct 2010, 11:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-6:
but true nonetheless…generally, amongst sane and almost sane people. Back slapping and bj’s are given after the war is won.
not in the middle a week before the toughest game of the season at home against the Pumas.
25 Oct 2010, 11:39 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-12: fair point – perhaps it should be who takes the 1st division title automatically goes through and last place falls out in premier. then 2nd last plays 2nd in relegation.
25 Oct 2010, 11:41 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-15: You don’t really seem to want to have a conversation. Are you reading my posts in a neutral way?
As for your “fact” that “everyone fears” that they get it right – well that is just ridiculous. At least say “some people”, or even better say exactly who you mean when you make those kind of statements. I for one wouldn’t mind in the least. All i said is that I feel for the Pumas should they loose out.
25 Oct 2010, 11:41 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-15: well you will b told that transformation should happen overnight @ EP becasue they have branded themselves as the “posterboys” of transformation
25 Oct 2010, 11:42 am
IMO the Leopards really don’t deserve to stay up because they couldn’t win a game. So, the relegation/promotion would be fairer if, the bottom team was automatically relegated in favour of the winning Division 2 team, and the next 2 teams play off. This way the next best team isn’t automatically promoted, and the next to last team not automatically relegated
25 Oct 2010, 11:42 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-21: no the toughest game was away against the pumas and they put their noses ahead with home advantage coming up.
25 Oct 2010, 11:42 am
@kevin w(kevin w)-22: exactly.
25 Oct 2010, 11:43 am
you’re right brig!!
25 Oct 2010, 11:47 am
@wpjoulekkading(wpjoulekkading)-18: Yes, they did play way better than expected. I would have liked to see EP and the Pumas in the premier division. It’s a pitty that they have to play against each other in the playoffs now.
Like I said, the Pumas in Nelspruit (If they do move there) is an exciting prospect.
25 Oct 2010, 11:47 am
@wpjoulekkading(wpjoulekkading)-23: I’m just saying that so many people even yourself in that post want to compare the team on the field today, to what the real bigger picture is for Eastern Cape rugby in 2 years time.
Nobody gave them a chance, but now they got there, they not black enough. It takes time and all the other provinces have 15 years on them. I guarantee it won’t take an Eastern Cape franchise that long to get a good balance of local / black / white / coloured / good / imported players. No other franchise can say they have got that right.
And that is why i feel people fear that EP will become a success.
25 Oct 2010, 11:48 am
oh come on now….the Kings have marketed the “transformation” wagon to the hilt. There is massive amount of ethnic black talent in the area they just need the platform to perform…we have all heard this for years already now.
to my mind…”transformation”, in the ep region would mean more white okes being given the opportunity because I would automatically expect to see a almost entirely black rugby side running onto the field that resembles a zulu impi or whatever the hell it is the xhosa’s organized themselves into….probably a shebeen gathering?
in fact, I am suprised that Solomons hasn’t done a Schucks Schuster number and painted his face black.
25 Oct 2010, 11:49 am
Its been a while since I actually enjoyed reading an article on Keo.
It is quite a feat for Solly to have made the Queens competitive considering the “jungle” of EP rugby. Truly.
However before lionising the bugg.er especially regarding his loyalty to players just a little reminder regarding his not insignificant part in the poor treatment of Gary Teichmann.
Nevertheless, that disgraceful blot may have been a lesson learnt – it does seem that he earns his players’ loyalty and they really do play for him.
Not so sure though about the transformation credentials of EP (the reason behind getting the region into the big league in the first instance) considering the team generally has a lighter hue than most other teams, including their opposition – the Pumas.
Some would say that EP should not be denied the “professionalism” of other unions – especially the ability to buy whoever they need in order to improve – but the purchase of a scallywag Samoan (who will drop them at the first sign of interest from a bigger union) and an Italian American US Eagle representative (blocking the way for some real black talent from EP who could one day be available to the Boks) is not really professional and is a bit “short termist”. If it is the latter and the intention is to replace these guys with black talent from the area in the future then that belies the talk about loyalty, doesn’t it…
Oh well, the EP KIngs – yet another illogical anomaly in the constellation of SA Rugby, and not an incubator of the “huge” untapped talent reservoir of the Eastern Cape YET…
25 Oct 2010, 11:53 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-32: How can the initial plan not be short term … when the long term promises came to nothing.
First step is Premier division and they are one win away – the representation will come. Black and white because the region is rich in talent.
25 Oct 2010, 11:54 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-31: yes and they are busy building the platform.
25 Oct 2010, 11:55 am
SAPA
“CENTURION: The Customs and Excise department of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced on Friday the confiscation of spoiled and fake cans of whoopass.
Acting director-general of Customs and Excise, Sharkie Spoildapatie, held a news conference to announce the confiscation, which was made at an undisclosed address in the Greater Ekurhuleni area.
The items were discovered in two separate underground bunkers on a property belonging to one person identified only by the initial “T”, who was arrested.
The cans of whoopass displayed the names of renowned national and international brands, but they lacked the necessary quality requirements. “This confirms there is fraud and endorsement of spoiled goods,” Spoildapatie said, adding that the property owner confessed he had been aware of the nature of the products for a long time.
Spoildapatie explained that the role of the Customs and Excise was not only to collect duties at the borders but also to protect consumers and citizens from “products that do not respect health and quality conditions”.
The counterfeit cans of whoopass were thought to have been imported to South Africa via barrels smuggled from Sri Lanka.
Any people with information about the case were asked to come forward.”
25 Oct 2010, 12:00 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-35: :mrgreen” classic
25 Oct 2010, 12:02 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-31: is the platform there is your skewed opinion?
25 Oct 2010, 12:03 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-36:
25 Oct 2010, 12:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-32: i see the volume & intensity of the vitriol is diminishing a bit
don’t worry Heaven’s Shame, you & your gatgabba Brigs van Zyl will celebrate soon enough..
25 Oct 2010, 12:17 pm
I have said this before and will say it again, give EP a Super Rugby franchise the rest will sort itself out. Border cricket and EP cricket were a mess individually, but now the Warriors are arguable the best provincial side in the world.
1. Ashwell Prince ( Protea)
2. Jacques Kallis ( Protea)
3. Davey Jacobs
4. Colin Ingram ( yes yes I told you all, he will be a Protea by year end!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
5. Arno Jacobs
6. Mark Boucher( Protea)
7. Johan Botha( Protea)
8. Nicky Boje
9. Wayne Parnell ( Protea)
10. Makhaya Ntini (Protea)
11. Lobster Tsotsobe (Protea)
25 Oct 2010, 12:21 pm
If the Kings make it to the Premier division of the CC they will attract HUGE sponsorships (I cannot think of a better way for Companies to earn brownie points). With these funds at their disposal they will attract a list of high profile players. Watch this space – its going to get very interesting!
25 Oct 2010, 12:24 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-40: you can put “ex-protea” for nicky boje, although I was never a big fan of his.
25 Oct 2010, 12:25 pm
@AlphaTango(AlphaTango)-41: Shimlas boost to EP Kings
2010-10-20 22:30Email | Print
George Whitehead (Gallo Images)
Jóhann Thormählen
Bloemfontein – The Eastern Province Kings’ bid at becoming a force in South African rugby has been boosted by the acquisition of more Shimlas.
Hooker Frank Herne will soon join the Kings, while flyhalf George Whitehead and wing Beast Nwandwa will also be available for the Kings.
They will join former Shimlas centre Wayne Stevens and scrumhalf Gerrie Odendaal in Port Elizabeth.
Stevens and Odendaal were both members of the Kings team that recently won the Currie Cup’s First Division and will be in action in Witbank in the first promotion-relegation match against the Pumas on Friday.
The Shimlas have also made an acquisition in flyhalf/fullback Shaun Davids, who previously played for Tukkies in the Varsity Cup.
Centre Charl Weideman, who played for the Maties in this year’s Varsity Cup and for the Griffons in the Currie Cup, may also play for the Kings.
Herne was captain of the Free State Cheetahs under-21 side this year. He represented the SA Academy side in 2007 and will join the Kings on November 1.
Whitehead, who is also a Free State under-21 player, has a bursary agreement with the University of the Free State. He has to complete six months of his studies there next year.
While he has not officially signed a Kings contract, he should play for Shimlas in the Varsity Cup and be in Port Elizabeth by July 2011.
Nwandwa will play for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in next year’s Varsity Cup and may also be used by the Kings. He played for the Free State under-21 side with Whitehead and Herne.
Eastern Province certainly have a liking for Free State players as props André Schlechter and Riaan Vermeulen, locks Rory Duncan and Barend Pietersen, No 8 Darron Nell and flyhalf Jaco van Schalkwyk have already played for the Kings.
Sport24 also reportedly recently that former Free State’s Falie Oelschig, who plays scrumhalf for French club Stade Francais, will report for duty in Port Elizabeth in May 2011.
25 Oct 2010, 12:26 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-40: quite right, EP cricket was BANKRUPT in 2002!
25 Oct 2010, 12:31 pm
Shouldn’t the positive be in EP made it to Premier, and the Lions are now owned by BEE that 2 of the ‘old’ big 6 are now transformed, which means more opportunities and hopefully less of Stofile?
25 Oct 2010, 12:39 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-40: *****!!, I forgot Rusty Theron in that team, so Rusty in for Boje, only Smith, AB De Villiers and Dale Steyn, and Bob’s is your mum’s brother!!!!!
@Transformation(Transformation)-44: Yet, they said the franchise wont work in the EP, not even mentioning the set back of losing Mickey Arthur to the Proteas early on.
Just in terms of rugby brains who are from the region, Solomons, Rassie Erasmus, Allistair Coetzee.
25 Oct 2010, 12:40 pm
@gecko(gecko)-45: hahaha @ “less of stofile” which stofile are you referring to, the minister or his younger brother?
25 Oct 2010, 12:41 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-46: it’s not “rock science” that we have the capacity
25 Oct 2010, 12:43 pm
Great article to start off the week with Keo. Thank you.
25 Oct 2010, 12:52 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-48:
!!!
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.