Kings make double swoop
13 Sep 2012
The Southern Kings have signed lock Steven Sykes and centre Andries Strauss for the 2013 Super Rugby season.
Sykes and Strauss will make their exits at the Sharks and Cheetahs respectively. Both moves have been confirmed to keo.co.za and they will join the Kings after the Currie Cup.
The two players are the first to sign with the Eastern Cape franchise since they were awarded Super Rugby status in August. There are rumours that a few Argentine and New Zealand players are set to join the Kings in the near future.
Meanwhile, Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster believes Strauss will be one of the last players to depart from Bloemfontein this year.
They have already lost tighthead prop WP Nel (Edinburgh), No 8 Ashley Johnson (London Wasps) and lock George Earle (Scarlets) after Super Rugby, while flyhalf Sias Ebersohn (Western Force) and lock Izak van der Westhuizen (Edinburgh) will also make their moves following the domestic campaign.
‘We want to build on our achievements from this year’s Super Rugby,’ Verster told this site. ‘We have already extended most of our players’ contracts, while there will be a couple of more contract extensions made over the next few weeks.
‘We will also have some new players available in 2013, like [Blue Bulls] centre Johann Sadie.’
By Gareth Duncan
211 Comments
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13 Sep 2012, 19:16 pm
@wnbb-38: The punted him for the Boks as well if I recall correctly
Along with Macleod, Jordaan, Ludik, Bresler, the team chef and the fellow who wipes down the gym equipment after Sharks players weight training sessions…
@Dusky-42: You hate the Kings? But you support the money grabbing, mismanaged and wonderfully corrupt Lions continued inclusion? Give us another reason as to why you hate the Kings – one that actually has merit and is believable….
13 Sep 2012, 19:16 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-47: I dont have any respect for any entity that gets somewhere without merit.
13 Sep 2012, 19:18 pm
@Dusky-39: He hails from the EC and owns property there.He fits the Kings profile of bringing back their players.No harm in that.Answering your race-based question.Now,you would not want the Kings to be seen as excluding their region’s white players,now would you Dusky?
13 Sep 2012, 19:18 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-51: You’re joking right ? Are you buying this Kings thing ? Really ? Forget about the Lions – that’s a real thick head reason to justify the Kings inclusion and typical quite frankly.
Lets stick to the Kings. What merits their inclusion ? If you can give me one good reason – I will explain to you why I hate them. Got nothing to do with the Lions. Keep them out of it and try to provide a reason sans Lions.
13 Sep 2012, 19:18 pm
@Dusky-52: Absolutely. You took the words right out of my mouth.
13 Sep 2012, 19:19 pm
@victoriabok-44: No, he is still sh y te. Hasn’t done anything. Waste of money…fucknows why we bought him in the 1st place. Still believe he ‘could’ flourish at 15 with a few tweaks and some massive work on D.
13 Sep 2012, 19:19 pm
@wnbb-53: And Strauss ?
13 Sep 2012, 19:19 pm
everyone b.itched when the bulls snapped up sadie & pollard, why?
could it be because they would like to keep all their homegrown outstanding talent home?
killian already left the lions to come home, sykes a boy who went to marlow agric is also coming back…bring them home cheeky!
dogs don’t bark at a stationary car.
13 Sep 2012, 19:20 pm
@58 – stupid dogs do!-)
13 Sep 2012, 19:21 pm
@Transformation-48:
I think Dusky is still basking in the glory of his hero being declared not criminally insane for his massacre of liberal Norwegians.
13 Sep 2012, 19:22 pm
@David-60: Stupid comment to make and also typical.
13 Sep 2012, 19:25 pm
Dusky – read post 50. I think you will find it amusing!
13 Sep 2012, 19:28 pm
@Transformation-10:
ok
13 Sep 2012, 19:29 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-51: I remember.Very similar to when Watson joined WP, and after that they found an even greater reason to rechristened him Osama Bin Watson,admittedly together with a good percentage of Northerners.
13 Sep 2012, 19:29 pm
@BULLET-62: Sorry dude I am struggling to see humor in any of this.
13 Sep 2012, 19:30 pm
@Dusky-54: What merits their inclusion? 15 Years of being lied to and fuckedaround by the incompetent SARU, hate SARU, not the Kings. Cheeky Watson wasn’t even an issue when the ‘Spears’ debacle hit the ground. If you have been promised something for 15 years, by jollyfucks you are going to start demanding at some stage. Is it the Kings fault SARU didn’t involve them in the Currie Cup earlier – say 8 years back? Is it their fault SARU fuckedaroundliketoddlersataplaydate instead of planning and managing a viable entry into Superugby? Is it the Kings fault SARU overestimated their own power amongst it’s SANZAR partners?
No mate, forget about politics for 2 seconds, and a lot of what Cheeky has said or hasn’t said. Focus on the region, it’s rugby history and a promise made to the rugby loving people there.
If you struggle to do this: make a list of all the players in SA born, bred and schooled in the Eastern Cape who are currently making it big elsewhere…Compare that list, to a list of homegrown talent amongst other unions, and you will very quickly see they have a claim, just as strong as the Free State or the Western Cape to showcase their own players.
Nah, they have waited, been patient and been fuckedover for it.
The people, and the players from the Eastern Cape deserve this, and have earned it.
Hate SARU mate.
The region has a rugby history and cultrue stronger than a few of the larger unions, and in some cases equivalent to (at the very least) and here I include the WPRFU and the like.
13 Sep 2012, 19:31 pm
@wnbb-64: No dimwit. Watson did that all to himself thanks to his ‘I want to puke on my Springbok jersey’ comment. You forgotten that already ? Or did it not seep into your wooden head to begin with ?
13 Sep 2012, 19:31 pm
@ Dusky.
Its so sad – its amusing.
I am past worrying about the mismanagement, I can only laugh.
13 Sep 2012, 19:31 pm
@BULLET-50: bwahahahahaha yes
because in your convoluted mind cheeky was part of SARU or even EP Rugby when the Spears were formed with Tony Mckeever as their CEO…
cheeky is such a wheeler & dealer..
13 Sep 2012, 19:35 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-66: Your first reason is not a rugby reason, so I skipped over it. My guess is the likes of Transvestation and his followers will lap the sob story up though.
Your second reason makes a bit more sporting sense but has absolutely nothing to do with current SPORTING reasons for including the Kings.
And reading your post as a whole makes some sense, except I absolutely know that the people running the show do not have those pure intentions. Never in a 100 years. There are a number of people out to become rich quickly – for sure ! And for me – that is actually the current primary driver.
13 Sep 2012, 19:38 pm
@69 – transy, you miss the point.
Watsons campaign for inclusion was based on transformation.
Saru incompetent relegation system means they have no option but to contract the best (irrespective of transformation) to avoid relegation.
Whites get richer at expense of the ultimate goal.
13 Sep 2012, 19:39 pm
Expect many more articles like this
13 Sep 2012, 19:39 pm
@Transformation-69: Are you half way up Cheeky’s hole ? Are you getting a pay out ? A tender award ? Which is it ?
13 Sep 2012, 19:48 pm
Cheeky’s swoop?
Are they talking about his combover?
13 Sep 2012, 19:49 pm
@Dusky-73: none of your godamned business, just stick to hating the Kings all the way from Norway and we’ll all be fine
13 Sep 2012, 19:50 pm
@Dusky-67: Oh no Dusty Springfield!Sharks supporters considered him rubbish long before his infamous or famous statement(depending on where you stand politically).
13 Sep 2012, 19:51 pm
@Dusky-70: Cheeky Watson is no more and no less corrupt than the presidents of various other unions. That he is more outspoken and tends to attract more attention with some of his truly ridiculous statements at times is a fact. But if you think the gents running any of the other large unions are squeaky clean, you would be off the mark I reckon.
Rugby in SA is corrupt full stop – nothing the Kings do or don’t will make it any worse.
The issues some have with Cheeky Watson, should not be taken out on the people of the EC, nor should it be taken out on some of the brilliant rugby minds already employed by the union (academy staff, Solomons etc).
The Kings deserve their shot….The fact that they weren’t allowed to gain entry on a merit standing is on SARU’s bar tab, not theirs.
Rugby in SA makes many so called unworthy people rich……..quickly……not just folk affiliated to the Kings.
Personally, I want them to rise above all the side shows and succeed, which if given a fair chance, I reckon they might do.
13 Sep 2012, 19:55 pm
Why you people always get your knickers in a knot when it comes to the Watsons is beyond me
13 Sep 2012, 19:59 pm
@Transformation-75:
Don’t waste the smilies. Dusky’s just another one of those sad characters who saw Cheeky as a traitor for joining the ANC against apartheid, and will never forget it.
13 Sep 2012, 20:00 pm
@BULLET-71: If the fat pig was just honest about the reasons – that would make me a bit more tolerant.
13 Sep 2012, 20:01 pm
@Transformation-75: Thought so.
13 Sep 2012, 20:01 pm
@SpringbokSarah-72:
Why?
Is it multinic time again?
13 Sep 2012, 20:03 pm
@SpringbokSarah-78: Really ? It really is ?
13 Sep 2012, 20:06 pm
@victoriabok-82: No, I think she is alluding to the fact that the Kings are busy with a huge recruitment drive, and that there are many signings in the pipeline. In time they will be announced, and articles will follow.
There are a few surprises in store I reckon. This is just the start.
13 Sep 2012, 20:07 pm
@SpringbokSarah-78: With a name like ‘Springbok’ Sarah – you dont care about what Puke Watson said ?
When you look at Fathead daddy Watson speak – does he sell himself to you as an intelligent rugby mind that could have engineered all of this ? He doesn’t strike you as a fat, corrupt politicians ventriloquist doll paving the way for a few more people to get rich on the back of the historical issues of this country.
You dont see those things ?
I hope nothing but the worst for the Kings. Really, I will never support them no matter who they are playing against. They can play against the Japanese Dolphin hunters and I will support the hunters.
13 Sep 2012, 20:08 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-84:
Keo must earn his millions for the Kings communucations contract?
13 Sep 2012, 20:09 pm
@Dusky-83: Truly
@victoriabok-82: is it what??
13 Sep 2012, 20:11 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-84: Port Elizabeth is a cool place. You can be partially brain damaged and still be above the average intellect, you can be a deaf and dumb quadriplegic and still be faster, more articulate and more energetic than the locals and you can earn R 15 000 a month and live in the mansion on the hill in Port Elizabeth.
So yes, there will be more players attracted by this plus the promise of a starting berth. So I wont be surprised.
13 Sep 2012, 20:12 pm
@SpringbokSarah-87: Read 85. I might be able to help me Miss Sarah B.
13 Sep 2012, 20:12 pm
@Dusky-85: Dude do you have a cooking clue as to who I am?
13 Sep 2012, 20:13 pm
@SpringbokSarah-90: Yep. I know exactly who you are. And ?
13 Sep 2012, 20:18 pm
We may end up unearthing some real South African talent from this Kings experiment. They need a few experienced players like Sykes and Strauss to get them off the ground. Very exciting for South African rugby. I support them all the way.
Not only that but this team may spark a love for rugby in areas where it didnt exist previously. Unity through sport.
Go Kings!
13 Sep 2012, 20:19 pm
@Dusky-89: well looks like you do have a cooking clue as to who I am.
You should therefore remember I do not believe every sensationalised story the media concocts and that I made the effort to find out what actually happened. That is why I do not call Luke “Puke” and I do not Cheeky Watson is not a “fat politician” with a hidden agenda (yes he’s fat I’ll give you that) he is simply trying to make Eastern Province Rugby a world class rugby union.
So personally I think you, Uncle Cheeky and everybody else stop living in the past and move on.
13 Sep 2012, 20:21 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-77:
bull(****)
bulls is the cleanest most professionally run union in the southern hemisphere.
you’ve got nothing on none of them for corporate governance, executive leadership, dividends to shareholders, qualified audited accounting, workplace happiness, carbon friendly green initiatives, player security and welfare…. i could go on but i will allow you to bask in the shadow of such awesomeness for a while…
13 Sep 2012, 20:22 pm
@SpringbokSarah-93: Puke didn’t say he felt like he wanted to vomit on his Springbok jersey ? The video footage of him saying that was concocted ? Who did such a thing to such a likeable person I wonder ?
Your opinion is yours, and mine is mine. Lets leave it at that. I think your heart is pure when it comes to rugby but I doubt that all intentions on this are as pure as you would like to believe them to be.
13 Sep 2012, 20:23 pm
ja
thats right
carbon friendly
and green
“initiative” people… “initiative”…
13 Sep 2012, 20:23 pm
@Kaizan-92:
There was more love for rugby in the EC than most imagine. Where do you think the name SARU came from?
13 Sep 2012, 20:24 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-94: Bulls do suck a bit at the moment though. If their management was so good they might have had a better contingency plan for when the wave of players that saw them to 3 Super rugby trophies decided to all up and leave at the same time.
13 Sep 2012, 20:26 pm
@David-97:
The Eastern Cape is a big place with many diverse communities.
13 Sep 2012, 20:26 pm
i woulld do an audit of the wp union
but that might just be what the mayans have been warning us about
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