Making history
14 Dec 2010
CLINTON VAN DER BERG, writing in SA Rugby magazine, discovers the EP Kings have finally got their act together, on and off the field. Now they want to help change the face of South African rugby.
Forget the 1995 World Cup triumph. Forget the follow-up in 2007. For that matter, forget next year’s big bash too. Forget all the bumph that came before about transformation: quotas, clinics, racial incentives, affirmative action appointments, blahdeblah. When the definitive history of South African rugby is written, 2010 will stand as an epoch-making year.
Rugby’s most transformative act of the past 20 years occurred in Port Elizabeth this year when the Eastern Province Rugby Union finally sorted out its nonsense. Given its squalid history, this was no mean feat.
South African rugby has always lived in its own parallel universe, à la Alice in Wonderland: the pretence that the game was racially inclusive, even when the heartland of black rugby was out on a limb.
It matters because the Eastern Cape is a hotbed of black rugby. It matters because rugby passion is nourished there from a young age, not by made-for-TV clinics, but by a heritage that dates back over 100 years when blacks first played rugby. It matters because there’s nothing fake or contrived about it. The crime, such as it is, is that no one ever took the trouble to include the Eastern Cape in a meaningful way.
In 1995, everyone basked in the rainbow nation’s victory glow, thanks in the main to Nelson Mandela’s magnanimity. Blacks and whites danced in the streets. All was good with the world. But it was a false dawn and the massive goodness was never harnessed, to the eternal shame of the powers-that-were.
EP, meanwhile, limped along. There was fraud, back-stabbing, power-broking and politics. There was even occasionally some rugby, but the narrative was steadfast: exciting players emerged from local schools, only to move to bigger unions. Why should they have stayed?
EP feasted on the scraps. In recent years they flexed their political muscle and demanded a place at the Super Rugby table. ‘Get your act together first,’ Saru correctly demanded.
Cue Cheeky Watson. The maverick businessman was installed as president. Everyone waited for Watson to fail, except they misjudged him on one thing: Watson is a rugby man to the core and his blood runs deep in the region.
Next, Anele Pamba was appointed chief executive. A former prop forward for the African Bombers, he too cared and was known for getting things done.
Act three was to hire top coach Alan Solomons, a stickler for systems and structure. Besides, he was schooled in the region and dared dream of the possibilities.
The EP Kings have finally got their act together, notwithstanding their horrible promotion-relegation second leg blowout against the Pumas, and now have the splendid incentive of Super Rugby in 2013 to work towards.
And we should all applaud, for this is the moment South African rugby has long awaited. Indeed, you would be living in a fool’s paradise if you believed that South African rugby could continue without incorporating the Eastern Cape’s black rugby diamonds. It’s not only right politically and socially. It’s right morally.
To hear how Eastern Province effected the turnaround is to be reminded of the virtues of teamwork, leadership and vision.
To a person, the people SA Rugby magazine spoke to remarked on playing a small part in history, of putting in place something deeply significant for future generations. If that sounds trite, don’t believe it: the potential is massive and could be felt for generations.
Given the history of the region, rugby is unashamedly political and Watson smartly uses this as an asset. On occasion, his voice has boomed at team talks: ‘Recognise that the English fought the Boers. Recognise that the English put the Boers in concentration camps. Recognise that the Boers came up with apartheid. And recognise that the blacks have taken it all back.’
This is a call to arms, not to fight, but rather for the players to recognise one another’s differences.
‘They’ve responded unbelievably,’ says Watson, who has the advantage of having reached this point in his journey via a thousand hurdles. He knows what it takes.
His message was simple: ‘I tell them this is the heart and soul of black rugby in this country and it’s been marginalised – until now. They must look at the number of blacks in former Model C schools who have nowhere to go [rugby-wise]. The white kids typically have a support base, but it’s not the same for black guys, whose mother and father may be factory workers. The answer is a Super Rugby franchise, which is why the EP Kings jersey is more important than any other in the country. This is history we’re talking about and we’re impacting on history.’
Every player and member of management at the Kings has embraced this vision and concept of inclusiveness.
It’s been a tough slog, but structures have been put in place, not least by Solomons, and the fruits of their labour are showing. Quite apart from the reasonable success of the Kings themselves, the union recently received an unqualified financial audit for the first time in 10 years. Twenty-one junior players have received contracts, the first time this has occurred in a decade. To quote Watson: ‘We’re fighting like mad for a Super Rugby franchise.’
Part of this ‘fight’ includes a bid to play the five existing Super Rugby franchises early in 2011, followed by three matches against European clubs and a round of friendly fixtures against Currie Cup teams. Added to this is the exquisite showcase provided by the Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth next August.
Watson refuses to take the credit, rather pointing to Solomons as the key man. ‘He’s highly intelligent and offers a rugby and legal background, plus a 24/7 work ethic. He is professional to the core and expects the same from all of us.’
Given his experience, with the Springboks and the International Rugby Board, among others, Solomons could have picked any top job. Yet he chose the backwaters of Port Elizabeth. A Grey High old boy, he grew up in Summerstrand. ‘I wanted to be part of something special,’ he says, ‘something that will enrich South African rugby.’
He met with Watson and Pamba and was deeply impressed. ‘Our visions coincided. This is the cradle of black rugby and I realised that having a franchise would give a huge opportunity to the indigenous people. I know Cheeky and Anele will deliver. This will enrich rugby and what we leave behind will be far more important than what we do now.‘
He says his legal background (20 years as a senior partner in a law firm) has given him an ability to analyse, something he has brought to the EP Kings. ‘Cheeky and Anele have been fantastic. All the people in the union are positive and prepared to work hard.’
Solomons’ first step was to settle on his senior management team. Adrian Kennedy, who worked with Solomons at Western Province, the Stormers and Ulster, is on board. So too is Robbie Kempson, the academy manager, and David Maidza, who assisted when the Southern Kings played the British & Irish Lions last year. Phil Mack, the former Western Province and Ulster conditioning coach, signed on in November. It’s a powerful bunch, supplemented by a support staff who all have Solomons’ blessing.
Solomons’ job is two-pronged: to develop the professional squad and to get the academy up and running by 2011. Players have been contracted and no less an icon than Danie Gerber has been visiting schools on behalf of the EP Kings, establishing relations and getting them excited. It all fits in with a stated philosophy of ‘Keep them home and bring them home.’
‘We don’t want guys from outside the region,’ says Solomons. ‘This policy has been hugely positive.’
The move to the magnificent Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is another fundamental sign of EP’s ambitions. Local totems like Rory Duncan, Mzwandile Stick and Darron Nel were all brought back. ‘Everybody has worked flat out,’ says Solomons proudly. ‘I love it, it’s a great working environment and Cheeky and Anele have been bloody marvellous.’
The Kings even have a travelling fan base, who bus their way to games, as they did to Witbank for the first leg Currie Cup promotion-relegation game. It took them 16 hours. ‘These are black guys and the vibe transcends all communities. Within the team we have English, Afrikaans, Xhosa.’
Says Debbie Ellis, operations manager of the Kings: ‘The brand is growing so quickly, it’s a battle to keep up. It’s the best rugby vibe I’ve experienced in the city in the 15 years I’ve been involved.’
Stick, a Springbok Sevens stalwart, says the key to their success has been the broad interest in the team rather than politics. ‘We’re the most multiracial team in the country. I left sevens to come here to be a part of history. Most thought we’d get a hiding against the Pumas, but it never happened. This team is on the up.’
If the team has come to the party, so have the chiefs. Says Pamba: ‘It all changed with Solly’s arrival. The greatest thing was the executive giving Cheeky and I the mandate to put structures in place. They call us the 
Three Musketeers.?Beating the Pumas and gaining promotion was in all our dreams. Solly was especially emotional after failing to do so. But people realise there’s a golden opportunity to be in the headlines again, but for the right reasons – rugby reasons.’
EP’s emergence is more than a little town triumph. It is a triumph for us all.
– This first appeared in the December issue of SA Rugby magazine.
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95 Comments
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14 Dec 2010, 10:23 am
@katman :
Indeed, Katman. Heck, for what he’s gonna earn, I’d even venture into Motherwell on ocassion.
14 Dec 2010, 10:49 am
When the French played the Boks at the Boet a few years ago, i ran into Mike the barman from Barnacles in Port Alfred (black guy). He had travelled to PE with his kid and they were all kitted out in Bok gear and excited as hell (who knows how big a portion of his income went on that trip or how long he saved). They didn’t give a toss about how many black players there were or if it was quota selections or any of the BS we obsess with, they were just there for the rugby.
It will be good to see EP and the region back to strength. Perhaps the Canterbury Crusaders will have to get a new jersey soon, there’s going to be a new red & black in the game (ha ha we can all dream!)
14 Dec 2010, 10:55 am
So which players do they have on their books right now?
14 Dec 2010, 10:57 am
Interesting read. Does it alter perception?
http://www(dot)independent(dot)co(dot)uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-gospel-truth-luke-watsons-a-godlike-genius-2158024.html
14 Dec 2010, 11:01 am
Just heard, Jinx RIP
your positive outlook on life will be sorely missed, especially on this site
14 Dec 2010, 11:05 am
@Bod : Post6.
The Rebel Site (Rugby-Talk), have a Thread Dedicated to Jinx.
Well worth a read, and I am sure if they have any details on his funeral, they will post them.
You can also leave a comment.
ANYONE can leave a comment.
No need to be Registered with Rugby-talk.
Such is the respect bestowed upon Jinx.
(Groot is to be commended for this gesture).
14 Dec 2010, 11:05 am
@Tacitus : why are you so worried about what luke will be paid? Surely your concern should rather be directed at his father and how he made his millions?
14 Dec 2010, 12:03 pm
@Tacitus : Duane is on 1.9
14 Dec 2010, 12:08 pm
This article is tripe. EP have done nothing but a flash-in-the-pan marketing stint in order to make a quick buck.
The wheels will come off when the power-plays start again, the in-fighting, the backstabbing, etc. and everyone so altruistically involved in the bettering of the union will shuffle off the stage again with their pockets nicely lined.
Content aside, the writing style is more suited to a Hallmark card than a journalistic piece. Perhaps you should photoshop some labrador puppies into the thumbnail to round it all off.
14 Dec 2010, 12:11 pm
@Twig :
“The wheels will come off when the power-plays start again, the in-fighting, the backstabbing, etc. and everyone so altruistically involved in the bettering of the union will shuffle off the stage again with their pockets nicely lined”
Sounds like the FreeState RU!
14 Dec 2010, 12:19 pm
Integration is always positive. The Tokenism in SA rugby just makes a fool of some of us blacks.. I am a believe in the Right man for the Right Job.. (Black or White)
14 Dec 2010, 12:23 pm
@Tbozknows : The farce of the matter is that I think a large majority of the country is of the exact same mindset. But as with all walks of life, there are always a select few that will **** it up for the rest. Superficiality achieves nothing but pats on the back for all those involved in the decision making, while the rest of us cringe.
14 Dec 2010, 12:42 pm
@Twig : 58 And worth every penny if you ask me. And as a bonus WP don’t have to release him to the Bokke come mid year.
14 Dec 2010, 13:56 pm
@Tacitus : @34, in my line of work I have come across Victor Matfield’s earnings, 2 bars is nothing to what Vic earns in a year. Habana knew what he was asking for.
14 Dec 2010, 14:18 pm
More importantly, why when there is an article about Luke, EP, Qoutas , there are always “new” nics on Keo?, are these guys always around, just not posting or is it the same blokes who post here, just with different nics?
14 Dec 2010, 14:43 pm
Such a pity Luke Watson is coming back and the journo’s absolutely milking it as a topic allready,has shown how we will continue to hear Luke this Luke that Blah Blah Blah.
14 Dec 2010, 14:58 pm
@XhosaKid : who is new?
14 Dec 2010, 15:40 pm
Will be very interesting to see which team the kings will be replacing in 2013
14 Dec 2010, 18:41 pm
Load of BS this article is. When EP buy better players to ensure that they do not fail to get promoted into the currie cup premiere division, they will most probably be white.
Eastern Cape rugby at EP and Border have failed many times when there were too many quota players in their teams instead of a better white player. Very good coaches of the past at Border like Rudolph Strauli, Gert Smal and Kobus van der Merwe ran things properly though and chose the best, but they were all snapped up by bigger unions and went on the gain higher honours, so continuity was lost and so were a lot of players.
Put a nothing quota coach in charge and you get nothing results. Put a coach in his position because he is the best available and results will be a lot better.
This whole first division cr@p should never have happened. Brian van Rooyen had the currie cup right with all provinces in the 1st round and then the best contest the currie cup and the rest a currie cup shield. No tv exposure equals no sponsorship and that is what has destroyed Eastern Cape rugby in the last few years. Guess who changed the format…Oregan Hopkins (D00S)
14 Dec 2010, 18:50 pm
@Getafix :
Lions or cheetahs…..?????/
14 Dec 2010, 19:32 pm
As someone born in the eastern cape, I would love to also comment on the issue. I am from Uitenhage and was in school at Daniel Pienaar THS. You guys that have so many negative things to say about the Watsons and the Kings make me sick. I am so tierd of reading the same BS you post. Fact 1, Solly putting structures in place. Fact 2, There is an academy being started with contracted youngsters. Fact 3, Luke Watson is a quality player, which was reconised by bath and its players, hence the captaincy. I remember how absolutely **** the bulls were before Heyneke Meyer came in and put structures in place. I remember how **** WP was before Rassie came in and put structures in place. These guys are doing something in an area that nobody cared/cares about. They are showing passion, guts and determination. And all that the negative plonkers can do, is to bad mouth them. Have a look at yourselves, sitting in front of your PC’s and laptops, and ask yourselves this: Why am I so quick to judge when all I do is sit here and belittle others? These guys are doing the work, YOU ARE DOING THE WHINING. Shame on you, I am glad that EP is actively doing something. To EP, keep it up, and to the whiners, shut it.
14 Dec 2010, 20:22 pm
@Tacitus : One of the top 6? That’s hardly any good when you’re only 6th of the top 6. You’re just rubbish, basically. Like Minardi in F1 racing.
14 Dec 2010, 20:34 pm
@MG : 71
I wish EP all the best. Would be great to have another competent rugby region to add to the existing big 5.
Doesn’t affect my opinion that the Watsons are the biggest poephols in SA rugby.
The 2 are separate issues.
14 Dec 2010, 21:28 pm
@wooden spoon : bitter much?
14 Dec 2010, 21:40 pm
@Transformation : 74
does it hurt your arse sitting on the fence so much?
14 Dec 2010, 22:42 pm
What are the Watson’s up to? Always follow the trail of the money. I cannot wait to see if & when a decision has to be made between Lions & EP Kings to play Super rugby! Who will win Kumede or Watson? Who is the best politically connected?
Blood is thicker than water! Who is the chosen one! Only in Africa!
14 Dec 2010, 23:28 pm
fark me…..i am trying my best to refrain from getting involved…..fark it is hard!
15 Dec 2010, 00:26 am
The Watsons’ cheerleader is back on keo after a self imposed exile… How long before the John Smit posts start again?
15 Dec 2010, 00:44 am
P.S. just joking G10, hopefully the absence will have cooled your John Smit jets
15 Dec 2010, 00:58 am
From News24:
Johannesburg – Come 2011, the Beast could be hunting with the Lions instead of swimming with the Sharks.
Tendai (Beast) Mtawarira, the Sharks and Springbok prop, has apparently received an offer from the Lions which he may be unable to turn down.
In Sharks country it is already being said that he is heading for Johannesburg, but Brian van Zyl, the executive head of the Sharks, said on Tuesday that the Beast signed a contract for another three years with the Durban-based team in October, and that he will be forced to honour it.
“We won’t let him go just like that, although we are aware of him being contacted by the Lions,” says Van Zyl.
Informed sources say the Sharks have apparently also made it clear to Mtawarira that they were the union to have fetched him in Zimbabwe, and to have given him a chance to get a foothold in South African rugby.
This emotional appeal, which is now issued by team bosses in Durban, is meant to counter the massive amount that the Lions’ new owners are apparently willing to pay for Mtawarira.
It is no secret that the Sharks are deeply disappointed by the possibility that he may be lost to them and could be seeking greener pastures.
There are even some who say openly that he could definitely be lost to the team and that his marketing involvement with the team has already been curtailed.
The Sharks’ home will also from next year not be known as the Absa Stadium anymore. The contract for the naming rights of the stadium has not been renewed by the banking group and Van Zyl has confirmed that a new contract has been signed for the naming rights of the stadium.
An announcement regarding this matter will apparently be made early next year.
15 Dec 2010, 02:07 am
@TheTackler :
Don’t cloud the issue with Minardi in F1.
How about the analogy of the Black Craps in test cricket, for they are the undisputed powerhouse of pisspoor, having recently seized the honour from the Bangles.
Maybe they’d like to play in the Supersport Series, like the old ‘Rhodesia’ played in the then Currie Cup???
15 Dec 2010, 04:04 am
@wooden spoon : 75 “fence sitting”? i’m a born & bred in EC, Kings supporter. nothing ambiguous about that Spooner… but don’t worry anything goes when you’re trying to hide your big chip on the shoulder hahahaha
so what is it that the Watsons ever did to you or your family Spooner?
15 Dec 2010, 04:42 am
@Joe Maher : Wait a moment — although the Black Caps are woeful, they’ve actually WON just as many international cricket tournament trophies as South Africa! Yes, a grand total on one Championship Trophy!
And that makes it one trophy more than EP has ever won in the whole span of history.
In fact, EP, SWD and Border collectively haven’t even held a contending place in the top-tier rugby competitions for absolute ages, let alone WIN anything.
They’re much WORSE than Minardi. More like Morris Minor.
15 Dec 2010, 04:44 am
..of..
15 Dec 2010, 10:28 am
@Transformation : 82
“Opinion” – not sure you know what it is to have one.
ps chip calling the tree black?
15 Dec 2010, 10:30 am
Even Mandela didn’t come out and try make everything black overnight … he had insight, vision, and on top of it all common sense.
Yet EP has to run out with 22 pitch black barefoot township kids or they are liars, cheats, political pawns and milking the system.
push button … fax.
15 Dec 2010, 10:36 am
@wooden spoon : i have just expressed onw about YOU! so what have the Watson ever done to you or your family? you’ve followed the herd long enough breakway
hahaha
15 Dec 2010, 12:20 pm
@Mighty Horua : What is your issue with the Free State?
Despite being significantly disadvantaged financially, and in terms of player resources, the Free State, have been the one of the best CC sides the past decade, with only the Bulls being more successful.
The Free State have played in every semi since 2000, and not even the Bulls have managed that!!
The EP by contrast have been piss poor since the late 80′s, and it’s only a political game that gets them into Super rugby. They couldn’t even win a promo/relegation, and as someone wrote earlier, all this talk of a “black powerhouse” is all just “political promises”, as most of the players playing for the kings are white players from the Free State (originally EP) so where are all the previously disadvanteged??
15 Dec 2010, 13:17 pm
To all the lions and cheetah supporters etc, some solid advice… 2012 you must not finish bottom of the log in the super rugby competition… You might never play super rugby again!
15 Dec 2010, 13:49 pm
EP Kings 2011 Squad
Boetie Brits
Nolan Clark
Rory Duncan (Vice-Captain)
Robert Dyer
Jaco Engels
Jaco Fourie
Hannes Franklin
Morne Hanekom
Frank Hearn
Jacques Coetzee
Marlon Lewis
Gerrie Odendaal
Pumlani Nodikida
Sphephelo Mayaba
Mpho Mbiyozo
Thabiso Mngomezulu
Darron Nell
Devin Oosthuizen
Lungelo Payi
Barend Pieterse
Jacques Potgieter
Andre Schlechter
Riaan Vermeulen
De Wet Barry
Jaco Bekker
Monty Dumond
Siyanda Grey
Tiger Mangweni
SP Marais
Norman Nelson
Milo Nqoro
Paul Perez
Marcello Sampson
Wayne Stevens
Mzwandile Stick (Captain)
Jaco van Schalkwyk
Matthew Tayler-Smith
George Whitehead
15 Dec 2010, 13:55 pm
@kace : So much for the cradle of African rugby. Had to pass thirteen white boertjies before I got to the first African name. And I got something like 9 African players from a 38 man squad from that list. Not quite the election promise.
15 Dec 2010, 14:39 pm
The EP Kings can “get their act together” all they like. But it will still come down to SARU pulling the rug from under 1 team before they get their chance in Super rugby – is that gonna happen ?
Each of the TriN partners now have 5 teams, its even-stevens. The Conference system will ensure 2 Finalists from each partner-nation, whether they deserve to or not.
15 Dec 2010, 15:38 pm
The EP Kings managed to fill their 45000 seater stadium this season…. when last was the Lions able to fill a stadium?
19 Dec 2010, 05:56 am
A full stadium barely covers the host union’s hotel and beer bill, so it’s only chump change. The sale of sponsorship and TV rights is what earns the serious money. And people don’t pay good cash to watch losers.
19 Dec 2010, 09:43 am
@wooden spoon : I remain convinced of 1 thing. J Smit is superfulous and will be an albatross around the boks necks…
Just because i am a bit more restrained on the issue does not mean i have had any change of heart whatsoever. Lets see if the most honourable skipper has real integrity…..or whether in fact we have been duped by the great man.
Team first? Lets see ?
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