‘Kings can make Super Rugby surprise’
19 Sep 2012
Andries Strauss believes the Southern Kings can make an immediate impact in Super Rugby next season.
Last week, it was confirmed that Cheetahs centre Strauss and Sharks lock Steven Sykes signed new deals with the Kings for 2013. They were the first recruitments to join the Eastern Cape franchise since its Super Rugby status was confirmed in August.
However, with the Kings only given a one-year guarantee in the competition, it’s believed that they will struggle to build a competitive squad as players would be hesitant to commit to a team that is likely to face relegation (the last-placed South African franchise will face the Lions in two rounds of promotion-relegation play-offs).
But Strauss reckons this belief could change.
‘Seeing a guy like Steven Sykes signing for the Kings motivated me to join them,’ Strauss told keo.co.za. ‘His addition proved that the Kings will be able to sign the players needed to do well next season. Hopefully more players will start making the same move too.
‘I also see it as a good career move for me,’ he continued. ‘I’ve struggled with form during my time with the Cheetahs. I think I can play better rugby. A different scenery at the Kings could be the change I need to improve.’
It will be a tough challenge for the Kings next year.
Super Rugby trends have proven that franchises struggle in their debut campaigns. The Western Force and Melbourne Rebels were the wooden spoonists after their first runs in 2006 and 2011 respectively, and continue to finish in the bottom-half of the table. The Cheetahs and Lions have also disappointed since their split from the Cats initiative six years ago.
The Kings will also have to deal with Saru’s expectation of notable transformation in team selections. Out of the 51 players the EP Kings have fielded in the Currie Cup First Division so far, 15 have been players of colour.
However, Strauss believes the Kings will manage if they recruit smartly.
‘The rumours that the Kings might sign a few Argentine players is promising,’ said Strauss. ‘Experience, especially international experience, is vital for any team.
‘There are only so many Springboks, and most of them are signed to the bigger franchises. So getting in some players, who boast international experience, will help the team do well, and they’ll be able to pass on their knowledge to the younger guys.
‘I know the Force and Rebels didn’t do well in their first couple of seasons, but the Kings have a better platform to work from. They’re not working from scratch. A guy like [Kings director of rugby] Alan Solomons has been with the team for a while now.
‘So the Kings can do well. I think it’s possible to avoid last place in the South African conference if the correct steps are taken.’
By Gareth Duncan
203 Comments
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19 Sep 2012, 14:43 pm
The whole matter of the Kings having to “earn” their way into super rugby is chicken and egg scenario which has been repeated endlessly on this blog
Of greater importance and to the greater overall benefit of South African rugby is spreading the benefits and exploiting the resources of super rugby to as broad a base as possible – geographically and socially
Having two unions a mere 80kms from each other, with one being a powerhouse and the other a dismal and repeated failure is plain stupid in the greater context.
Spread the regions, spread the benefits for the overall greater good
(Much like other aspects of our society some will just not be able/or want to appreciate this concept)
19 Sep 2012, 14:48 pm
@rossoneri-30: you are a self-professed capecrusader – hideous creature that does impromptu haka’s before watching any rugby match featuring kiwis – hypocrite comrade country woman.
19 Sep 2012, 14:48 pm
@capetown-51: It has nothing to do with geographical it has to do with population, the Bulls and Lions franchises have to cater for the whole of the Old Transvaaal region, NW, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng where the hell do you keep bringing up just gGauteng.
19 Sep 2012, 14:49 pm
@wnbb-47: And you are a vile racist.
19 Sep 2012, 14:51 pm
@Transformation-50:
Twas 2010, was it?
I said 2007 earlier.
19 Sep 2012, 14:53 pm
@Heavens Game-49: we know you deny a lot of things you Chimurenga escapee…just yesterday in a blatant case of revisionism you denied that Natal souties tacitly endorsed the benefits they accrued under Apartheid but never came out vociferously to denounce it…
it must be traits you learnt at Treverton!
19 Sep 2012, 14:54 pm
@capetown-51: you have to wonder how any of these other franchises “earned” the right to play super rugby…
19 Sep 2012, 14:55 pm
@capetown-51: Amen to that…
19 Sep 2012, 14:56 pm
@theOracle-58: Therefore, I wanna take this opportunity to WELCOME the Kings to SR.
19 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
@Skeppie-43: “I just did not beleive that rugby should be used as a political tool.”
you can’t now attempt to separate the inseparable!
there’s a valid reason why the Boks didn’t play in the world cup in ’87 the IRB suits knew the kind of embarrasment they would’ve brought to their tournament, i for one was happy they didn’t play!
19 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
@Transformation-56: It’s funny my father will always tell me that as an english speaking natalian he had no say in apartheid and he was against it. He also will claim that english speakers were also discriminated against. I suppose it takes many years of introspection to really put yourself in other peoples shoes and realise how bad things were for certain people during apartheid. it sort of gives me perspective into what I read here. I really feel sorry for all the people affected by apartheid and I will never claim to know what it was like to be a non white person living through those days. What a sad, sad history our country has. The only shining light we have now is the road forward, somehow we have to put bitterness and anger behind us and work together as countrymen don’t we?
19 Sep 2012, 15:01 pm
@theOracle-59: You are welcoming them to a series of endless p***klappe but whatever makes your boat float.
19 Sep 2012, 15:03 pm
@capetown-51: Not a very good business decision upending Super Rugby from the economic centre of the Country to a backwater…
In most major sporting leagues on the planet – Cities that are economic powerhouses / centres have more than one team/franchise at the highest level…
The argument for including the Kings is not a very good one, especially in light of its sole raison d’etre: “Transformation” or development of black playing resources when the coaches are not black, indeed not Saffa, and their has been no meaningful acquisition of Black marquee players or even identification of black talent with potential to compete at the highest level.
The argument for excluding the Lions on a zero sum game basis is even worse…
You poor brainwashed schmucks…
19 Sep 2012, 15:03 pm
@RL-52: how many black players run on for the Bulls and Lions (at any level) that come from “Old Transvaaal region, NW, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng”?
19 Sep 2012, 15:04 pm
Fck the Kings, fck Cheeky Watson and fck anyone who does not agree with me on this. I think I speak for most people, if not everyone, when I say so.
And let that be the end of this.
19 Sep 2012, 15:04 pm
@Transformation-60: Who says it is inseperable? You? That’s the crux of the argument isn’t it? I say it is and you say it isn’t? As long as we both agree that I am right all will be well. (smiley face with a wave of the new south african flag singing umshimiwam)
19 Sep 2012, 15:04 pm
@Transformation-57: What earned the Queens the right to play SR above a team like Griekwas?
19 Sep 2012, 15:06 pm
@Heavens Game-63: Cheecky just lining the pockets and this will, like most things where government is involved in, fall flat on it’s face.
19 Sep 2012, 15:07 pm
@Skeppie-61: quite right we do and we are…
19 Sep 2012, 15:08 pm
@Transformation-56: Chimurenga… whats that… Terrorist getting fcked up and decimated by courageous forces a fraction of their number?
Treverton… come now Transie… You really are reaching. Unlike you I was never mofgat or pigment rich enough to go there…
Denounce what? Some revisionist bullshit? Crapman…. I dont have to deny anything.
19 Sep 2012, 15:11 pm
@Transformation-69: Ok so how about we leave the topic of burning records and move onto something a bit more positive….like how crazy it is for the Kings to be playing S15 rugby
19 Sep 2012, 15:11 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-68: Especially in light of the Eastern Cape’s renown reputation and track record for competence, and “honesty” (as in non corruption)….
19 Sep 2012, 15:12 pm
@Skeppie-61: Skeppie I salute your positive way of looking at things and I do agree but at some point people have got to put the past where it belongs and not pull out that go-to card when they run out of logic
19 Sep 2012, 15:13 pm
4..
Johannesburg – Lions stalwart Wikus van Heerden will retire after Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup match against the Sharks at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.
Kick-off is at 19:10.
Van Heerden, 33, was a Super Rugby winner with the Bulls in 2007 as well as part of Jake White’s RWC-winning Springbok squad later that year. He was also part of last year’s victorious Currie Cup-winning Lions team.
Van Heerden enjoyed a stint in England in the 2009/10 season during which he played 21 matches for Saracens. He also has 14 Springbok caps to his name.
Van Heerden is the son of former Springbok Moaner van Heerden.
19 Sep 2012, 15:14 pm
@Transformation-64: Chiliboy nl nl nl nl – this is not the Transkei where rugby beats football 6 love 6 love. I blame the PSL for having more than 80% their teams based in Bulls and Lions country. Capiche.
19 Sep 2012, 15:14 pm
@Heavens Game-72: Shining example are’nt they?
19 Sep 2012, 15:15 pm
@grant10-74: I thought he retired ages ago…when was the last time he played?
19 Sep 2012, 15:15 pm
Cape Town – Is Marcell Coetzee, one of the brighter young guns introduced by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer this season, destined to suddenly become a “supersub”?
It would be cruel if that is the sort of role he inherits in the short- to medium-term, because it would be at least partly attributable to the commendable versatility he offers – a loose forward capable of operating seamlessly at any of No 8 and open-side and blindside flank is always going to be an asset in bench terms.
At the same time, Meyer will be acutely aware that the 21-year-old has been one of his most full-blooded and energetic forwards as a member of the starting XV in all but one of the Test matches in 2012 thus far.
The situation is complicated a little, however, by the fact that the Sharks player, in all that time, was also acclimatising to the hitherto fairly unfamiliar role of No 6, when most of his early first-class career for the Sharks has been predominantly in a blindsider capacity.
In a nutshell, Coetzee has looked as though he can tick most of the overall skills boxes required of an international loose forward — with sound temperament into the bargain — but is also perhaps not best suited to being the designated, primary fetcher.
When he was “demoted” to the bench for the first time by Meyer for the Castle Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks in Dunedin last Saturday, the coach rightly made it clear that Coetzee had played a lot of rugby and travelled more kilometres than most this season – clearly implying that there was a strong rotational element to his decision to field Francois Louw instead in the No 6 shirt.
Subsequently, of course, a pleasant predicament has been created: Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen dovetailed pretty effectively as the loose trio against the world champions, and as part of a Bok pack which broadly commanded an edge on the day despite the 21-11 loss.
Meyer may well be reluctant, as a result, to tamper too much with his eight, especially as Bath-based Louw did a spirited job in slowing down the All Black game at the breakdown and doubles as a strong ball-carrier, whilst Vermeulen is starting to find his feet as a Test player at No 8 after his many months on the crocked list.
Coetzee’s “crime” as a substitute – he replaced Sharks colleague Alberts in the 62nd minute – was to provide the sought-after late impetus; he certainly threw himself into tackles with relish.
Meyer may well persuade himself that the same loose forward brew is the right way to go against Australia at Loftus next weekend, meaning Coetzee is curtailed to the bench once more.
At the same time, he is also probably the best “flair” player of the loose forward quartet who did duty for varying stints in Dunedin, and on the Highveld his pace and deft off-loading ability could come in extremely handy right from the outset.
If Louw does earn a second start on the trot as open-sider, it would hardly be the daftest act in the world if Coetzee found a fresh starting berth at either No 7 or 8, would it?
The national coach loves muscularity and a hard edge to all his “loosies”, and the 106kg Coetzee is hardly a shrinking violet in that respect.
Yet there’s probably a better-than-even chance that the status quo will prevail: Meyer is well-disposed toward the notable physicality served up by Alberts as blindside flank and may, again, seek a bruising hour out of him against the Wallabies before pulling off the big unit and taking advantage of Coetzee’s dynamism for 20 minutes or thereabouts.
It is not a situation Coetzee would want (or even deserves?) at this juncture but at the same time most critics would concur that, with his best rugby years still well ahead of him, the Potchefstroom-born youngster is going to start plenty more matches for his country anyway
19 Sep 2012, 15:16 pm
@katman-65:
very mature
19 Sep 2012, 15:17 pm
@Transformation-64: About the same amount as coming from the Kings’ region and actually playing for the kings…
19 Sep 2012, 15:17 pm
@thesaint-77: got injured 1 season ago I think?
RL will know…
19 Sep 2012, 15:17 pm
@katman-65: schizophreak
new reality ****: I’m inventing a tv show for all single women, it’s called “extreme cuddling” were they watch different couples embracing for hours on end.
but i com here to see that **** wiv you and Goonpher
19 Sep 2012, 15:19 pm
@Skeppie-66: NO, the rest of the world agreed, united nations agreed, International Olympic Commitee, FIFA, the IRB…i just made an example for you now…why weren’t the Boks at the ’87 world cup Skeppie?
19 Sep 2012, 15:20 pm
@grant10-78:
Yes….Marcelle trying to be converted into a opensider was not the call imo…
He looks like 8 could be his calling, especially if Kanko stays in Japan….
Will cut it at 7 as well….
Great prospect, but this hybrid Alsatian cross Dalamatian dont cut it when you gotta mix it with the Pitbulls ….
Down and dirty you go Brussow/ Flo….every day of the week and twice on Sundays….
19 Sep 2012, 15:20 pm
@thesaint-80: names please. chiliboy and ?
19 Sep 2012, 15:21 pm
@grant10-78: Far from being a poor player, which he isn’t, in fact I think he is quite exceptional, he just isn’t a game changer, in the sense that Kieran Read, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and even Rocky Elsom is and/or was (in the case of Smith). He is solid enough, like Corne Krige, Wahl Bartmann or Willem Alberts is in fact, but not so much better than Alberts as to warrant an automatic inclusion…
19 Sep 2012, 15:23 pm
@Transformation-83: Transie I know it’s not good manners to enquire about identities on this blog but can you tell me what you do for a living?
19 Sep 2012, 15:25 pm
ok fanks 4 keeping patients pweeps, konts en kontesses.
The moment is here.
Once you click on the link there it will learn you regsteek in jou pale – no umlearning at this school my paddas and paddawyfies…
Once you sluk the blou piel, as the greats poet se “ganse heelal sal draai met ‘n doel”
Please do not eat or drink before this mental surgery a la PielNeus – hier KOMME DING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38cRToxkSI&feature=vmdshb
19 Sep 2012, 15:26 pm
@PielNeus-82: I think your online translator is optimised for Windows 98. Other than that, you speak excellent rubbish.
19 Sep 2012, 15:26 pm
@Transformation-60: The players shouldn’t be held accountable for the actions of their leaders, that’s a piss poor show, even the IOC allows athletes to compete, even if their countries do either not have an olympic committee, or are not eligible otherwise (politically) to compete at the olympic games, the compete as independent entries…
If you believe that the children should be held accountable for the sins of their fathers, well, then you are pretty much a farking lost case…
19 Sep 2012, 15:26 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-67: Griekwas are already playing Super Rugby DUH!!!!
willie le roux, raubenheimer (before the cheetahs bought him) sarel pretorius, riaan viljoen, rocco jansen, bjorn basson, justin downey – all griquas players!
happy?
19 Sep 2012, 15:26 pm
@Transformation-79: Thank you. Someone’s got to be.
19 Sep 2012, 15:27 pm
@Skeppie-87: it concern you how?
19 Sep 2012, 15:27 pm
@thesaint-86: yes…see my 84….
Marcelle needs to be used correctly….not as an out and out opensider..
19 Sep 2012, 15:29 pm
@Transformation-85: I think Chilliboy is about enough, gauteng player developed into a springbok by a gauteng based franchise, name one eastern cape springbok developed to that level by an eastern cape franchise since 1994…
19 Sep 2012, 15:29 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-76: The Kings are just one fcked up argument…
No credibility…
No competence…
No development…
No support…
Nothing… An exercise in SARU voodoo administration… Zanufication of Rugby in the EC…
I look forward to them getting exactly what they deserve… on the scoreboard… Every point against them will be a score against the incompetence of SARU… Every boo they experience fro being an embarrassment likewise….
19 Sep 2012, 15:30 pm
@Transformation-91: As a franchise on their own. Basson and Viljoen playing for the Griekwas? huh?
19 Sep 2012, 15:33 pm
@Heavens Game-96: They’ll get more than their fair share of booing at ***** central
19 Sep 2012, 15:34 pm
@Skeppie-87: I can do that, he rallies up mineworkers and SANDF members and gets them protesting all and everything they can, wearing tiny berets and a mongoloid expression…
19 Sep 2012, 15:35 pm
@thesaint-77: opening round of superrugby, it was that filthy Kings import Strauss that speared Wikus into the ground, ending his season and career – Strauss went on to spear more players this year. True story.
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