Kings start at home
21 Sep 2012
The Kings will kick off their 2013 Super Rugby campaign with a match against the Force in PE on 23 February.
Super Rugby was last played in the Eastern Cape region 13 years ago. The Coastal Sharks played one match in Port Elizabeth in 1998 and a second in 1999 as well as one match in East London in the latter year.
Last season’s finalists, the Sharks, travel to Bloemfontein to meet the Cheetahs while the season opens in South Africa with the North-South derby at Loftus Versfeld with the Bulls hosting 2012 conference winners, the Stormers.
The fixtures were announced by Sanzar on Friday in a new-look draw which features a staggered start, and staggered resumption after the June internationals, to accommodate the British & Irish Lions’ tour of Australia. The Australian teams kick off one week earlier, and close one week later, as well as resuming two weeks later in July after the international window, in order to manage the extended Lions’ schedule.
South Africa’s conference is unaffected with the Kings going into the bye week SA’s first round and then hosting the Sharks in the third round of South African action. They then host the champion Chiefs in round five before heading overseas for the first time for matches against the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Brumbies and Rebels.
The Sharks have their first home match in South Africa’s second round when they face the Stormers, who play their first home match in Cape Town on 9 March.
The tournament actually kicks off on 15 February but only Australian conference teams will be in action. The same will occur in round 17 (just before the Super Rugby season breaks for the June Tests), while rounds 18 and 19 (after the break) will feature only New Zealand and South African conference teams.
2013 SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES
ROUND 1 (Australian teams only)
15 February – Rebels vs Force, Melbourne
16 February – Brumbies vs Reds, Canberra
Bye: Waratahs
ROUND 2
22 February – Highlanders vs Chiefs, TBC
22 February – Rebels vs Brumbies, Melbourne
22 February – Bulls vs Stormers, Pretoria
23 February – Hurricanes vs Blues, TBC
23 February – Reds vs Waratahs, Brisbane
23 February – Cheetahs vs Sharks, Bloemfontein
23 February – Kings vs Force, Port Elizabeth
Bye: Crusaders
ROUND 3
1 March – Blues vs Crusaders, TBC
1 March – Reds vs Hurricanes, Brisbane
2 March – Chiefs vs Cheetahs, TBC
2 March – Waratahs vs Rebels, Sydney
2 March – Bulls vs Force, Pretoria
2 March – Sharks vs Stormers, Durban
Bye: Brumbies, Highlanders, Kings
ROUND 4
8 March – Hurricanes vs Crusaders, TBC
8 March – Rebles vs Reds, Melbourne
9 March – Highlanders vs Cheetahs, TBC
9 March – Brumbies vs Waratahs, Canberra
9 March – Stormers vs Chiefs, Cape Town
9 March – Kings vs Sharks, Port Elizabeth
10 March – Blues vs Bulls, TBC
Bye: Force
ROUND 5
15 March – Highlanders vs Hurricanes, TBC
15 March – Waratahs vs Cheetahs, Sydney
15 March – Kings vs Chiefs, Port Elizabeth
16 March – Crusaders vs Bulls, Christchurch
16 March – Reds vs Force, Brisbane
16 March – Sharks vs Brumbies, Durban
Byes: Blues, Rebels, Stormers
ROUND 6
22 March – Chiefs vs Highlanders, TBC
23 March – Crusaders vs Kings, Christchurch
23 March – Reds vs Bulls, Brisbane
23 March – Force vs Cheetahs, Perth
23 March – Sharks vs Rebels, Durban
23 March – Stormers vs Brumbies, Cape Town
24 March – Waratahs vs Blues, Sydney
Bye: Hurricanes
ROUND 7
29 March – Highlanders vs Reds, TBC
30 March – Hurricanes vs Kings, TBC
30 March – Chiefs vs Blues, TBC
30 March – Brumbies vs Bulls, Canberra
30 March – Cheetahs vs Rebels, Bloemfontein
30 March – Stormers vs Crusaders, Cape Town
31 March – Waratahs vs Force, Sydney
Bye: Sharks
ROUND 8
5 April – Blues vs Highlanders, TBC
5 April – Brumbies vs Kings, Canberra
5 April – Sharks vs Crusaders, Durban
6 April – Hurricanes vs Waratahs, TBC
6 April – Force vs Rebels, Perth
6 April – Cheetahs vs Stormers, Bloemfontein
Bye: Bulls, Chiefs, Reds
ROUND 9
12 April – Highlanders vs Brumbies, TBC
13 April – Chiefs vs Reds, TBC
13 April – Blues vs Hurricanes, TBC
13 April – Rebels vs Kings, Melbourne
13 April– Force vs Crusaders, Perth
13 April – Stormers vs Sharks, Cape Town
13 April – Bulls vs Cheetahs, Pretoria
Bye: Waratahs
ROUND 10
19 April – Hurricanes vs Force, TBC
19 April – Waratahs vs Chiefs, Sydney
20 April – Crusaders vs Highlanders, Christchurch
20 April – Reds vs Brumbies, Brisbane
20 April – Sharks vs Cheetahs, Durban
20 April – Kings vs Bulls, Port Elizabeth
Bye: Blues, Rebels, Stormers
ROUND 11
26 April – Hurricanes vs Stormers, TBC
26 April – Reds vs Blues, Brisbane
27 April – Chiefs vs Sharks, TBC
27 April – Brumbies vs Force, Canberra
27 April – Bulls vs Waratahs, Pretoria
27 April – Cheetahs vs Kings, Bloemfontein
28 April – Crusaders vs Rebels, Christchurch
Bye: Highlanders
ROUND 12
3 May – Blues vs Stormers, TBC
TBC – Rebels vs Chiefs, Melbourne
4 May – Highlanders vs Sharks, TBC
4 May – Force vs Reds, Perth
4 May – Kings vs Waratahs, Port Elizabeth
4 May – Bulls vs Hurricanes, Pretoria
5 May – Brumbies vs Crusaders, Canberra
Bye: Cheetahs
ROUND 13
10 May – Chiefs vs Force, TBC
10 May – Reds vs Sharks, Brisbane
10 May – Cheetahs vs Hurricanes, Bloemfontein
11 May – Blues vs Rebels, Venue
11 May – Waratahs vs Stormers, Sydney
11 May – Kings vs Highlanders, Port Elizabeth
Bye: Brumbies, Bulls, Crusaders
ROUND 14
17 May – Hurricanes vs Chiefs, TBC
17 May – Rebels vs Stormers, Melbourne
17 May – Force vs Sharks, Perth
18 May – Crusaders vs Blues, Christchurch
18 May – Waratahs vs Brumbies, Sydney
18 May – Bulls vs Highlanders, Pretoria
18 May – Cheetahs vs Reds, Bloemfontein
Bye: Kings
ROUND 15
24 May – Chiefs vs Crusaders, TBC
24 May – Rebels vs Waratahs, Melbourne
25 May – Blues vs Brumbies, TBC
25 May – Force vs Highlanders, Perth
25 May – Kings vs Cheetahs, Port Elizabeth
25 May – Stormers vs Reds, Cape Town
25 May – Sharks vs Bulls, Durban
Bye: Hurricanes
ROUND 16
31 May – Crusaders vs Waratahs, Christchurch
31 May – Brumbies vs Hurricanes, Canberra
1 June – Highlanders vs Blues, TBC
1 June – Reds vs Rebels, Brisbane
1 June – Stormers vs Kings, Cape Town
1 June – Cheetahs vs Bulls, Bloemfontein
Bye: Chiefs, Force, Sharks
ROUND 17 (Australian teams only)
7 June – Brumbies vs Rebels, Canberra
9 June – Force vs Waratahs, Perth
Bye: Reds
ROUND 18 (South African and New Zealand teams only)
28 June – Chiefs vs Hurricanes, TBC
29 June – Highlanders vs Crusaders, TBC
29 June – Sharks vs Blues, Durban
29 June – Bulls vs Kings, Pretoria
29 June – Stormers vs Cheetahs, Cape Town
ROUND 19 (South African and New Zealand teams only)
5 July – Crusaders vs Chiefs, Christchurch
6 July – Hurricanes vs Highlanders, TBC
6 July – Cheetahs vs Blues, Bloemfontein
6 July – Kings vs Stormers, Port Elizabeth
6 July – Bulls vs Sharks, Pretoria
ROUND 20
12 July – Crusaders vs Hurricanes, Christchurch
12 July – Rebels vs Highlanders, Melbourne
13 July – Blues vs Chiefs, TBC
13 July – Waratahs vs Reds, Sydney
13 July – Force vs Brumbies, Perth
13 July – Sharks vs Kings, Durban
13 July – Stormers v Bulls, Cape Town
Bye: Cheetahs
QUALIFIERS
19 July
20 July
SEMI-FINALS
26 July
27 July
FINAL
3 August
201 Comments
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21 Sep 2012, 12:07 pm
@grant10-99: that from Sharksworld
21 Sep 2012, 12:13 pm
@RL-96:
What a compliment…..
@grant10-99: Can’t blame the Stormer suits for this one mate. This little ‘kind and caring’ Sharks lifeline was in play the day after the voting. The Bulls too voted for the Lions, so I guess they were hoping for a similar ‘deal’, but alas…..the charitable Sharkies were cunning & quick
On a very serious note, Potential Springbok flyhalves and fullbacks are going to be screwed in this deal one way of the other. The worst case scenario is Jantjies, Lambie, Taute, Ludik and the Coetzee kid all end up underplayed or out of form.
21 Sep 2012, 12:13 pm
@grant10-101: Bulls and Guppies will gain the most from the loan deals. Players for mahala adding to their their depth. Taute and JC Janse to the Bulls too. Mapoe will be snapped up real quick, maybe use him to replace Oupa Odwa or Oupa Aikona.
Cheeky’s poaching from the Lions lying in the dirt.
21 Sep 2012, 12:14 pm
RL – I honestly hope the Kings do a Melbourne Rebels type thing…
I mean, surely this was all arranged by SARU to bolster the weakest conference?
speaking of cheating, where is that man Bakkies? is he hiding low after his foot in mouth disease with the “level of racism in NZ rugby” rant?
21 Sep 2012, 12:16 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-102: it was an insult to Grant, van Aswegen, Francis and Coleman – all of them useless 10s
21 Sep 2012, 12:19 pm
@poppa69-104: fark that idea – they the ones who pulled the transformation card claiming to have two hundres thousand locals crying for a chance to play superrugby.
21 Sep 2012, 12:20 pm
Lambie must wonder what has happened, and why all of this is happening, in his career….
First Michalak and as soon as the Frenchman climbs on a plane the sharks run to get Jantjes?
Come to CT Lambie….
21 Sep 2012, 12:21 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-102: i heard KdK say the Sharks and WP voted for them.
21 Sep 2012, 12:21 pm
@jigga-85: Sometimes a hard working team is better than one with stars. Look at how the Stormers pulled together with an injury streak which would have killed off any other team. One thing can be guaranteed with a Super team which has alan Solomon in overall charge: they will pull together and they will fight to the bitter end on the field.
21 Sep 2012, 12:25 pm
@RL-105: But a compliment to the rest of the backline none the less
@RL-106: And then sadly, SARU whacked the Kings with a “you have ONE season to prove yourself” deadline. Not the Kings fault…..
21 Sep 2012, 12:25 pm
@grant10-99: The suits couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery.
Let us hope that AC doesn’t go for Duvenhage and Grant again as the halfback pairing…
21 Sep 2012, 12:26 pm
@Transformation-108: WP? Not what I heard. Then again, this is the TRUTH that is SA rugby
Wheeling, dealing, lying and stealing 
21 Sep 2012, 12:27 pm
@RL-103: YEP!! Cannot even begin to describe the glee I feel when I contemplate the Kings getting SMASHED week in and week out. Disgusting Deployees that they are.
Kudos to the Bulls and Sharks for standing by KdK while he tries to sort out the ruins left behind by Reyneke et al. Lions keep the bulk of their players for next year, but plenty of scope for good S15 exposure during the year. Bulls and Sharks squads get a replacement pool with quite a lot of promising new talent.
Then us Lions fans have the added bonus of watching our “CC” team wallop the filthy Kings, by that stage depleted through injury and utterly tormented from the a** raping they have received in their first and only year of S15. Woop Woop!
21 Sep 2012, 12:28 pm
@grant10-107: Very tragic for the kid. He must be wailing to the gods of rugby.
21 Sep 2012, 12:30 pm
@mikeybrass-111: The WP and Stormers suits are our own Western Cape version of M Steyn
A bloody huge handbrake and albatross around our teams success….
I despise them .
21 Sep 2012, 12:32 pm
@grant10-97: Jantjies/ Lambie will be getting too much bench time, what a waste. Looks like all the young FH’s in this country are brainless. Grant is nearing the end of his career, whoever makes an impact this season could be the next Stormer 10, but they would rather sit on the bench while Lumptree shifts them to full back/centre or the bulls coaches the game out of them. So sad.
21 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@grant10-115: I second that, but we are handycapped by all the semi-profffesional clubs we have to support in the Western Cape. And why Pollard would want to go to a team that will turn him into a impotent attacker is beyond me. Jantjies will waste his talent on the bench at the sharks.
Jantjies would have a garenteed start for the stormers for the first 4 games as Grant only comes back from Japan later in the tourny, he would be able to stake a claim for the starting spot and then become the main FH for Stormers going forward. Instead he wants to stay with losing lions?
21 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
News
Lions give Kings the finger
Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:21
PrevNextThe Lions refused to entertain our request to loan us players
Super Rugby rookies the Southern Kings have spat the dummy, claiming their ability to recruit players for 2013 has been “severely hampered”.
They also revealed that the relegated Lions franchise has effectively given them the finger, refusing to entertain a request to loan the Kings players for their debut in Super Rugby next year.
In a statement in which they set out to explain why they want the South African Rugby Union to give them special dispensation to recruit more than the regulation two foreign players, the Kings claim they have had to embark on the route of “recruiting players in an abnormal manner”.
They slam SARU for the delay in announcing their entry into Super Rugby, adding that the one-year window afforded to them is not enough to secure players who are keen to obtain long-term contracts.
The statement, headlined ‘Trying to contract in an abnormal environment’, highlighted the “uncertainty and delay” of the announcement of the Southern Kings’ participation, as well as “financial constraints” as the main reasons for their problems with recruiting.
The Southern Kings’ statement in full: “Trying to contract in an abnormal environment
“The decision of granting us, Southern Kings, participation in Super Rugby from 2013 has been met with a welcome relief. However, our ability to recruit Super Rugby players for 2013 has been severely hampered:
* the uncertainty and delay of the announcement of the Southern Kings’ participation meant that many players were reluctant to sign their names of the dotted line
* the financial constraints (Super Rugby financial revenue streams and uncertainty regarding basis (amount and term) has limited our ability on how long we could contract players for
“We have been very vocal about our desires to develop and promote local talent, and in particular to accelerate the transformation of South African Rugby and to develop quality black Springboks. As a result we have put a strong focus on developing and maintaining an Academy which is made up of predominantly home grown talent, with a strong commitment to a bottom-up transformation strategy.
“Despite being unable to retain the most of our local talent without the attraction of Super Rugby until now, we are confident with the strides that our Academy has made and it is evident already that it is starting to bear fruits. Already we have a number of players in the Academy who will be part of the Super Rugby squad for 2013. Soyiswapi Siviwe (15) Yamkela Ngam (14) Kuhle Sonkosi (4) Lizo Gqoboka (3/1), Thembelani Bholi (6) and Shane Gates (12) have all been identified by our Management team (who all have Super Rugby and international experience) as players who have the technique, acumen and physical characteristics to become quality Super Rugby players.
“There is a precedent in place that SANZAR member countries are only allowed to field two international players. The ARU (also members of SANZAR) have made an exception to this rule by allowing heir newly formed Melbourne Rebels to field more foreign players in their team. The motivation for this was to prevent the destabilizing effect of initial mass recruitment from other franchises, when a new franchise starts. Due to SARU making the announcement of our participation on 16/8/2012 it has led to us having difficulty with recruiting players due to:
* The European window period for recruiting players being closed (with the only available players being those out of contracts)- interested South African players are only available in May 2013, by which time we’ll be too deep into the competition
* The delayed announcement has seen many local players whose contracts expired this year renew their contracts
* The Lions refusing to entertain our request to loan us players for the 2013 Super Rugby campaign
* The one-year entry into Super Rugby and without a track record, has impacted our ability to recruit players
“It is in light of the above, that we have had to embark on the route of recruiting players in an abnormal manner, and with our desire and aspirations of having long-term participation in Super Rugby we are requesting SARU to extend/ alter the current ruling of only fielding two foreign players, for a short-term, thus allowing us the time to adequately prepare our young players for the demands and pressures of Super Rugby, as well as giving us the opportunity to contract players in a normal manner going into the future.
“It is important that we field quality players who will be able to see us through the 2013 Super Rugby competition, and with the current plethora of challenges facing us we have no alternative but to make this urgent request to SARU
21 Sep 2012, 12:37 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-112: KdK s.sht on the Cheetahs and pat WP on the shoulder!
De Klerk was also disappointed with the behaviour of some of the other franchises – who initially stood together and sent a letter to SARU as a unit, saying: ‘That none of the existing franchises shall be eliminated from the tournament in 2013 or at any stage thereafter as a result of the inclusion of the Kings.’
“The other guys ran, just like we expected them to run, especially my ‘pal’ there in the Free State … he is known for that,” the Lions boss told this website.
However, he had kinder words of the Stormers hierarchy, who are believed to have been one of only two unions who supported the Lions that lost heavily (6-23) in the vote.
“We never really knew where we stood with Western Province, but since the change in leadership this year they showed their true colours and we know exactly where we stand [with them].”
THELO WAKEFIELD!!!
21 Sep 2012, 12:38 pm
@grant10-107: Lambie being abused by Lumptree!
21 Sep 2012, 12:40 pm
@Transformation-108: bullshit, it was the Bulls and Guppies. Nc nc nc nc
21 Sep 2012, 12:41 pm
@RL-121: calm down
21 Sep 2012, 12:48 pm
@Transformation-119: oi you are thick and don’t get sarcasm … KDK thanked the Bulls and Guppies. Google that stament and paste it here transformer.
21 Sep 2012, 12:49 pm
@Transformation-119: Wheeling, dealing, stealing, lying, backstabbing and payoffs….Like the sands of the hourglass, those are the days of our lives
21 Sep 2012, 12:53 pm
@RL-123: if i’m think then you’re solid
21 Sep 2012, 12:56 pm
@grant10-115: Come now Grant, not even Steyn is playing terrible enough to be compared to our administrators.
21 Sep 2012, 12:58 pm
@Transformation-125: think before you drink before you type.
21 Sep 2012, 13:01 pm
@RL-127:
it seem the guys at rugby365 are also think judging by their reporting, hey clearly only you RedLion can get the unique Leeu-sers “sarcasm” tl tl tl
21 Sep 2012, 13:04 pm
@Transformation-128: I own the “leeusers” patent. Don’t abuse my IP. Capiche.
21 Sep 2012, 13:13 pm
@Transformation-128: @RL-129: de Klerk was ‘thanking’ Wakefield for making it clear as hell that the WPRFU didn’t feel 2 sh y te for the Lions – there was no longer any room for confusion
Titus made all the right pro-Lion noises, which had the Lions confused. Wakefield didn’t even try to hide the fact that the WPRFU wouldn’t be supporting the Lions in the vote.
Now he knows where they stand, in his own words.
To be honest, the WPRFU and The Cheetahs crew always seem to vote the same in any event, regardless of what the vote is….ditto for the Bulls and Sharks (and I guess the Lions fellows).
I’m guessing the EC voting will always be in line with the WP and Cheetahs moving forward. Lions, Bulls and Sharks will stick together, out of the ‘larger’ unions.
21 Sep 2012, 13:14 pm
@RL-129: Will Lions fans be supporting the Sharks next year?
21 Sep 2012, 13:23 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-131: hell no – won’t even be supporting SARU by donating my R651.00 a month to Supersport to NOT watch my team. Fark em all I’m downgrading to the R99.00 p/m package.
21 Sep 2012, 13:36 pm
Third force in play… one of the two, Jantjies/Lambie will be playing Vodacom Cup next year
21 Sep 2012, 13:44 pm
Franco to Sharks
Jantjes and Taute to Stormers
CJ to Bulls
Cilliers to Cheetahs
Mapoe, Murray, Maku & Minnie to Kingd
21 Sep 2012, 14:14 pm
@Rhys7-134: Is this a “IMO” or fact?
21 Sep 2012, 14:22 pm
Perhaps the Lions should just stay away from Super Rugby all together… If their new tournament is a success (same pay or more, less rugby, less travel, European tours) why would the players want to go back…? With the Heineken cup nearing its demise it could be an ideal opportunity to start something now and then invite the rest of the Clubs to expand the comp in 2014…
Then they will retain their players and remain one of the most competitive teams in the Currie Cup…
21 Sep 2012, 14:34 pm
Francois Louw back with Bath.
What now? Will we be getting Brussow back? Or will Louw be back in Pretoria next week?
21 Sep 2012, 14:34 pm
@Puma-137: Will we = Will he
21 Sep 2012, 14:38 pm
@Puma-137: Really? Where did you hear that, Puma?
21 Sep 2012, 14:40 pm
@willievz-139: Hello Willie,
Just read it on Rugby365. Wonder what this means? Will we be getting Brussow or will Flouw have to fly back on Monday? Have no idea. Or will Keegan be back for Boks? Not sure.
21 Sep 2012, 14:42 pm
Robbie Deans just wants Morne to start! I guess the whole world wants Morne to start except us here who know why they want him in the team. HM actually believes what everyone says except for us Joe public…
Well he must get what he deserves if he continues to select Morne and Niknaks
21 Sep 2012, 14:43 pm
@Puma-140:
No wonder we are so c rap at the moment. No one knows left from right…
21 Sep 2012, 14:45 pm
@Gumboots-142: Howzit Bill,
Have to agree with you. Have no idea what is going on. Flouw was not one of the names released. So have no idea why he is back with Bath. Mystery really.
21 Sep 2012, 14:47 pm
@Puma-140: HI Puma,
Personally, I hope for the former, but I think it will be the latter. Flo will pass South African immigration on Monday again.
21 Sep 2012, 14:51 pm
@willievz-144: Could be. Why was he released to play for Bath this weekend then? They never mentioned his name in the 5 that got released. Unless it was a deal made with Bath first.
If Flouw as allowed to play a game between the tests, then why not Lambie against the Lions? He needs plenty game time. Just not sure what to make of it.
21 Sep 2012, 14:53 pm
@Puma-145: Lambie would be a no brainer. He’s getting no game time at the moment, makes sense to keep him match sharp.
21 Sep 2012, 14:53 pm
@Puma-143:
SARU got a special discount on a Quantas return ticket from London to Sydney.
21 Sep 2012, 14:57 pm
@David-147:
Good one David…. haha.
@stormersboy-146: Lambie should have been allowed to play against the Lions this weekend. Have no clue why he was not released. With Flo could be it was a deal made with Bath so Meyer had no choice but to let him play. With the others he may not want them to pick up injuries it seems.
21 Sep 2012, 14:59 pm
I see young Julius has an arrest warrant issued against him. Looks like he’s really in for a long weekend.
21 Sep 2012, 15:03 pm
@Puma-148: Ja I cannot work out what is going on in that Dutchie’s(HM) head sometimes…….
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