Kings’ one-year shot contradicts transformation goals
16 Aug 2012
Saru’s annual Super Rugby promotion-relegation plan does little to drive the ultimate goal behind the Southern Kings’ inclusion.
On Wednesday afternoon, Saru announced that the Kings will compete in Super Ruby in 2013, with the Lions dropping out as this season’s last-placed team. A promotion-relegation system was also confirmed, which will see next year’s last-placed South African side compete in a play-off for a 2014 tournament spot against the Jozi franchise. This will only be implemented for one year.
Saru president Oregan Hoskins and CEO Jurie Roux argued that rugby is a professional sport and a professional decision was made.
However, it must be noted that ultimate goal behind the Kings’ inclusion is to assist with transformation in the Eastern Cape region, which is rich in black talent. The likes of Lwazi Mvovo, Siya Kolisi, Akona and Odwa Ndungane, and Bandise Maku all hail from the province.
Hoskins hopes that the Kings’ Super Rugby run will inspire young people of colour to partake in the sport, and go on and represent the franchise.
‘Historically, the top black and coloured rugby players come from the Eastern Cape,’ Hoskins told keo.co.za. ‘We are doing what we can in terms of developing more players of colour. We have academies set up in the Eastern Cape region and in the Boland region to help with transformation.
‘We also hope that with the Kings playing Super Rugby, that these youngsters will want to stay in their home union and play for their local franchise.’
Hoskins added that he was not satisfied with the current transformation circumstances at the Kings. The are only three players of colour who regularly start for the team in the Currie Cup First Division (flank Thabo Mamojele, wing Marcello Sampson and inside centre Tiger Mangweni), while New Zealand coaches have been appointed at the start of domestic campaign.
‘We will have talks with the different unions over the next month as we will go on a roadshow to visit all the provinces,’ said Hoskins. ‘This will include a stop in PE, where we can chat about this. EP president Cheeky Watson has ensured that we will witness some transformation during Super Rugby next year, so we trust he will deal with that.
‘We will also be talking to the different coaches, who actually do the groundwork.’
However, will this ‘quick fix’ actually contribute to the ultimate goal? And have the Kings been given a fair chance to prove themselves at Super Rugby level?
The Kings are only guaranteed one year of Super Rugby. If they finish last next season, they’ll have to compete in the promotion-relegation play-off. And should they be eliminated, their progress will not reach its full potential.
The Kings are likely to finish last next season, considering the trends set by other Super Rugby debutants. The Western Force and Melbourne Rebels were both wooden spoonists in their respective debut campaigns and still feature in the bottom half of the standings. The Cheetahs and Lions continue to struggle as independent franchises since splitting from the Cats initiative in 2006.
Roux acknowledged this scenario and stressed that they are hoping to get other solutions in place.
‘Saru’s input doesn’t stop here. We will continue planning more solutions for post-2013,’ said Roux.
By Gareth Duncan
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44 Comments
16 Aug 2012, 18:36 pm
Screw these token dragons.
16 Aug 2012, 18:40 pm
Question is will the Kings have the money to keep all these talent? Other unions will be grabbing the best of the best to make up their “numbers”. Sad but true….
16 Aug 2012, 18:51 pm
Compromise…2 years
16 Aug 2012, 18:55 pm
Fok dit. As hulle nie ophou moan nie maak ek dit sommer 6 maande. Watch my.
16 Aug 2012, 19:10 pm
@katman-4:
so bêk moet jam kry!
16 Aug 2012, 19:29 pm
SARU maak a lat vir hulle eie gat, Kings need to grow a pair you are in now stop crying about the relegation match next year.
16 Aug 2012, 19:44 pm
It is a joke it is a bad sport and business wise decision
16 Aug 2012, 19:51 pm
Mmm.. seems like Kings are already making excuses, just saw Cheeky Watson on SABC2 complaining how unfair it is and that they are “so far behind” the other franchises and that a year is too short to prove themselves. Haven’t this thing been coming along for 3 years now? You claim you already have the talent, so whats up with all the complaints now.
And Gareth dont come with your “that ultimate goal behind the Kings’ inclusion is to assist with transformation in the Eastern Cape region, which is rich in black talent.” story, we all know the real reason is because cheeky and kie have vested interests in filling the Kings stadium because they share in the profits there. Super Rugby is the only vehicle that has the potential to fill the stadium and hence the pockets of cheeky and keo. THIS IS WHY THE KINGS HAVE TO BE INCLUDED. You coming up with that excuse is the same one the US made when they invaded Iraq “operatioon iraqi freedom”. It’s about money thats all and you are using “that ultimate goal behind the Kings’ inclusion is to assist with transformation in the Eastern Cape region, which is rich in black talent.” propaganda to fill your pockets with stadium money.
If it was REALY such a bedrock of talent and if transformation was REALY the goal then why does puke watson not give up his place to an unfortunate black player? why are there only 3 players of colour in their second rate lower division team? Where are all the black players thay are bragging about? I thought this is the bedrock of black players in South Africa? Why are WHITE people like puke watson keeping the deserving black players out of the team? Puke watson is WAY too white skinned to be BLACK in my eyes.
Come on Gareth, the Kings was NEVER about “transformation and development”, it is about stadium management contracts and how to make money…
16 Aug 2012, 20:06 pm
This was always going to end in tears and smacks of SARU’s total ineptitude and incompetence. And the blame for any unhappiness lies squarely on their shoulders.
To my mind there were only two scenarios at play here:
Scenario 1: SARU knocking on Cheeky’s door and told that the Kings were not bloody good enough. Not even at Currie Cup level. Was never going to happen because there’s not one person in SARU with balls enough to do that.
Scenario 2: The Kings given what they wanted. 3 consecutive years in Super Rugby. Didn’t happen quite like that.
SARU should hang their heads in shame.
They have done the Lions a disservice.
They have done the Kings a disservice.
16 Aug 2012, 20:10 pm
the complaint is without merit
promo/relegation will be a yearly occurence until the format is rejigged.
they will get a shot every year as will the lions.
16 Aug 2012, 20:20 pm
Everyone stop moaning
It’s only a year
16 Aug 2012, 20:21 pm
kings are a bunch of shiitholes they dont deserve nothing. but hey give the oaks a handout coz this is africa. they didn do a relegation game coz the lions would have inverted these chumps into their own arsess. death to the kings!!!! death to saru!!!! death to the anc!!!
16 Aug 2012, 20:25 pm
@I am a stormer-9: disservice? the kings got 100% more than they deserve. straight from the aarse end of the currie cup to super rugby! and who have they beaten the past ten years? nada. those kiwis and wallabies will be laughing at another saffer cockup
16 Aug 2012, 20:43 pm
@Blitzbok-13:
I said that because no-one in SARU, not Hoskens, not Jurie Roux, were prepared to go to Cheeky, look him in the eyes and say: “Listen, you’re good enough yet. Prove yourself in the CC first.”
Everyone within SARU seems to be shitscared of Cheeky. And now he’s apppealing the one year only entry into Super Rugby. “I demand 3 years”. Watch him get it!
16 Aug 2012, 20:46 pm
Ah yes, the EC. A hotbed of untapped talent.
So untapped, in fact, that they have signed Catrkillis to their ranks. 1st signing of many I would think.
Jeez cheeky and solly pulled the wool over Hoskins eyes all those years ago.
Non rugby reasons indeed.
16 Aug 2012, 21:04 pm
> Saru’s annual Super Rugby promotion-relegation plan does little to drive the ultimate goal behind the Southern Kings’ inclusion
So does the Kings by recruiting a Kiwi coach and overseas and local white players
No black coaches good enough for Commissar Cheeky?
I know Snor won’t work for him, after Cheekey tried to blackmail him, the big christian he claims to be
16 Aug 2012, 21:09 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-3:
SARU moet die Super franchise kontrakte vir drie jaar uitgee, dit sal jou kans gee om jou span van CC gehalte na Super op te bou
En SARU moet die span wat uitval se spelers vir daardie seisoen oorneem en uitverhuur aan die ander franchises sodat hulle gametime kry maar hulle bly nog gekontrakteerde Lions of Kings spelers sodat hulle die relegasie wedstryde op volsterkte kan speel
16 Aug 2012, 21:43 pm
Only in SA is a free handout given to an undeserving hand…
This article hits a very inconvenient truth.
The whole point of the Spears/Kings was to aid “transformation” in SA rugby and the “development” of the supposed hotbed of raw black talent in the Eastern Cape.
Now people are saying the Kings are going to go on a spending spree, now able to attract big name players by the lure of guaranteed Super rugby, or at the very least pick up a whole host the Lions players. But how is this any different to what the Lions offered?
And now, with only 1 promotion/relegation game set down for 2013 the Kings are the ultimate tokens, the ultimate sacrificial lambs. SARU made a silly promise to them, have granted them a year in the big league (totally undeserved) and have also made sure as the sun is hot that the Kings will very soon be back down in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup B Div.
16 Aug 2012, 21:46 pm
It must however be said though. The promotion/relegation match in 2013 will be between the Lions and the lowest placed team in 2013. The other 4 teams, Cheetahs, Bulls, Stormers and Sharks will be under incredible pressure not to have one of those seasons that comes along once in while when something happens in the changeroom and the team bombs…. If the Kings manage to finish higher than any other SA team (hard to believe, I know) then that other team will supposedly be out for GOOD. Haha, imagine if one of the big 3 finish last, SARU will change their tune very quickly!
16 Aug 2012, 22:40 pm
which will see next year’s last-placed South African side compete in a play-off for a 2014 tournament spot against the Jozi franchise. This will only be implemented for one year.
that doesnt make any sense, what happens after 2013 ?
will that team get locked out for good ? SARU dear god whats wrong with them
16 Aug 2012, 22:49 pm
This is a brilliant show, jokes, drama, threats, it is all there
May the Kings suffer………………………….
17 Aug 2012, 02:43 am
Great way to start the test season… banana’s anyone?
Big Daddy John O Neil is more than likely going to have to step in a hand out a few PK’s to these pathetic fools and get their own house in order for them… they definitely cannot!
17 Aug 2012, 02:53 am
Gareth, spare us the ‘transformation’ propaganda bullshite.
17 Aug 2012, 04:33 am
After ten drubbings by 50+ points they’ll be HAPPY to go back to the Currie Cup B-section where they belong.
17 Aug 2012, 06:19 am
What transformation? The vast majority of the players are white and will be imported. This is not good for SA rugby because a relegation system kills either unions chance of building player depth. Players are always going to be looking for the first ticket out.
SARU themselves are nothing more than a bunch of quotas who simply do not have the ability to manage South African rugby. Affirmative action in administration has simply resulted in crappy administration, just like the rest of the country
17 Aug 2012, 08:54 am
Stop moaning you **** let Kings play,what has the Lions done in Super Rugby ever
17 Aug 2012, 09:07 am
Do not like it but there is a homily about”accepting what we cannot change”
17 Aug 2012, 09:11 am
If pathetic teams like the Force,Rebels an Lions can play the Kings might as well get in on the act as well
17 Aug 2012, 09:17 am
@AssassinWP-26: Ever….? They won it. Don’t be stupid.
17 Aug 2012, 09:22 am
@Kiefpant-25:
Transformation is not necesarily achieved by loading the team with previously disadvantaged players, but in many other ways resulting from the injection of sponsors and skilled coaches because of the elevated status of the top team in the franchise.
17 Aug 2012, 09:23 am
@Hop Hop Spinnekop-29:
That was Transvaal – Not quite the same thing
17 Aug 2012, 09:27 am
@TooMuchRugby-31: Really? The Reds still refer to their win when they were Queensland same goes for the Blues when they were just Auckland back in the day. Try again.
17 Aug 2012, 09:34 am
The Kiwi teams were regional teams right from the start, whilst we entered our Currie Cup teams into the competition.
No need to get defensive though, even though they were called Transvaal doesn’t detract from the fact that they won it.
After that came the Cats and then when the Lions returned they were c.rap.
You are only as good as your last game.
17 Aug 2012, 09:36 am
@Humphrey-18:
As I said before blame SARU, not the Kings
Anyway it is not the same, because the Lions are bankcrupt and the Kings not (maybe)
17 Aug 2012, 09:43 am
Tough luck lions, but ask yourself the question, how did you manage to put yourself in this situation?
17 Aug 2012, 09:50 am
@Mr Black-35: Fucked and pillaged from the inside.
17 Aug 2012, 10:02 am
@Hop Hop Spinnekop-36:
I feel for the supporters, except RL, it is tough.
RL, you can support the Sharks next year
17 Aug 2012, 10:14 am
@AssassinWP-26:
They won the Super 10, doos, so have a Super Rugby trophy to their name, more than your Stormers.
17 Aug 2012, 11:49 am
Winning it 19 years grants them immunity then for playin shite all this time so I Uruguay should get to compete in every soccer world cup because they won it in the 1930s dom doos accept reality Lions are useless
17 Aug 2012, 14:52 pm
Lions are **** !
I agree with AssassinWP. Lions supporters must wake up and realise that if you can’t handle the pressure, Get Out ! And please, Kings, do not import players from the Lions. This will only mean having the worst team again. At least the Kings have a chance to prove themselves.
17 Aug 2012, 15:00 pm
So, the KeoKapeKunties are all over the KuntifiedKings like a gonorrhoea rash…
FckSARU and FcktheKings…
Thats all I have to say on this farce.
17 Aug 2012, 15:34 pm
W.r.t. talent from the Eastern Cape, it is intersting to note that the current Bulls CC squad have 6 players from the region
The Stormers squad had 4
18 Aug 2012, 04:28 am
@Joe Maher-38: Super 10 was amateur rugby. Played by shoe salesmen, cops, students and truck drivers. Nowhere near to the REAL Super Rugby played by full-time professional rugby players.
18 Aug 2012, 04:31 am
@TooMuchRugby-42: “From the region” means what? They were born and raised there? Went to school and learnt to play the game there? Represented EP Border or SWD there?
Or just “born there and then bluggered off asap as babies”?
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