Long live the Kings
25 Feb 2013
MARK KEOHANE, in Business Day, writes the Kings turned a night of potential ruin into a night to remember.
They played in black but it was all Grey when it came to the Southern Kings historic and winning Super Rugby debut in Port Elizabeth.
Grey High School, academically and culturally strong, is also Port Elizabeth’s most renowned sporting and rugby institution.
Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons was schooled at Grey. Kings captain Luke Watson went to Grey and Saturday night’s two-try wing wonder Sergeal Petersen finished matric at Grey High just three months ago. The past, present and future of the region were all primary to a victory for the Southern and Eastern Cape, for South African rugby and for the country.
This was indeed a victory for the locals made possible by locals. It was a momentous occasion that demanded celebration and the necessary outpouring of emotion.
The Kings, as a squad, are limited in pedigree but not in passion.
The haters of the Kings called the team an embarrassment to South African rugby. This was before kick-off.
Those haters again displayed every quality of a bully and coward and stayed clear of social media forums on Saturday night. They would have taken the Kings 22-10 win against Australia’s Western Force personally. It is their way.
The haters will be back this week with boasts that the Kings won’t win again this season. This distorted thinking will give credence to their vindictiveness.
The haters don’t see the Lions winning 15 from 90 Super Rugby matches and losing 17 in succession as an embarrassment. The haters don’t recall the Bulls winning two out of 22 matches in Heyneke Meyer’s first two years as a Super Rugby coach. The haters don’t remember the Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks, Cats, Stormers and Bulls all taking 50-plus point beatings in the history of the tournament.
Never have so many South Africans done such a disservice to a South African Rugby franchise.
The argument that Super Rugby participation has to be earned is flawed. How did the Rebels and Force earn the right to play in the competition? They were included to grow the game in Australia.
The Sharks (as Natal) were given Currie Cup status in an expanded structure and went onto become the most successful South African province a decade later.
Griquas and the Pumas, as two examples, were given Currie Cup status by way of another expansion from six to eight teams.
The Kings were reluctantly and resentfully officially declared participants in the 2013 Super Rugby season in August 2012, and there was no guarantee beyond one season.
Few players of Super Rugby quality were willing to leave other provinces in South Africa or return from Europe to play for a region in which uncertainty was the only certainty.
It was assumed – among the anti Kings’ contingent – that the shame of defeat in every match would dull enthusiasm for Super Rugby in the region. It was never a consideration the Kings would lead the South African Conference after the first round of matches.
The Kings on a historic night in our rugby played without a jersey sponsor. They were made to feel like paupers.
They were treated like renegades and played like revolutionaries. They turned a night of potential ruin into a night to remember.
Brumbies loose-forward David Pocock tweeted his best wishes to the Southern Kings on Saturday afternoon and wished them all the best.
The Zimbabwean-born captain of the Wallabies, a man of integrity and substance, who has never forgotten his African roots and who once tweeted he never missed an issue of South African Rugby Magazine as a youngster, cared enough to known what the Kings would mean to the future of the game in Southern Africa.
Pocock, in 140 characters, showed more goodwill to the Kings than the National Governing Body has done in the last 140 months.
Cheeky Watson, an activist against apartheid in South Africa, continues to fight apartheid in South African Rugby. He refused and refuses to compromise on the Kings’ presence in a unified South African Rugby landscape.
It makes him unpopular to a cultural minority. So too Solomons, who four years ago committed to a 10 year plan to restore rugby’s respect within the region.
One of the greatest nights in our unified rugby history was also the saddest because it showed – not how far we have come in unity – but just how far we need to go.
All hail the Kings. Long live the Kings.
Respect
526 Comments
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25 Feb 2013, 11:05 am
@Paws-78: Excellent, excellent post, Paws.
My sentiments exactly.
25 Feb 2013, 11:07 am
@gunther-98: Ha!! Ha!!!, LOL!!! He’s been great, I really had lost faith in him in the ODI’s, I was even pissed that he got selected for the Tests, I was thinking it was his friendship with the “clique” that got him in, then he saved that test in Australia, and boom!!!, he never looked back, good for him and Proteas.
25 Feb 2013, 11:07 am
XhosaKid ..
The kings have never beaten the Lions in a game of rugby .. I think that makes it rather clear.
The Lions have played in the A-section of the CC since I can remember, as a matter of fact they won it again in 2011. They make up the main bulk of the Lions regional team for super rugby.
The kings are made up of 3 teams that cannot make it out of the B section of the CC. The EP kings make up the bulk of the kings regional team, and although they are b-section champions, try as they might they just can’t make it into the A-div of the CC.
I think one can say this makes a very good and very strong argument that the Lions are a better team than the kings …
Like I said, it does not matter how k@k the Lions are in super rugby, they are still a better team than the kings currently.
As an kings supporter, I obviously don’t expect you to see the obvious … so you can just hold onto the k@k lions super rugby record for comfort.
I honestly hope that the Lions do get to play the kings in a promo / relegation game at the end of this super rugby season … that way if my Lions win I can prepare myself for most proberbly disapointing 2014 super rugby season, and if the kings win I can just relax and enjoy watching there games knowing they deserve to be there.
25 Feb 2013, 11:08 am
@Paws-85: ” No Trans … they stayed there because no
matter how k@k they were in super rugby
they have always been one of the top 5
teams in SA …. that is a simple fact that
you, keo and everyone else cannot get away
from.
there’s nothing to run away FROM! when the Cta franchise broke up you were handed a super rugby spot based presentations to KPMG & NOT rugby playing ability!
the franchise agreement signed by ALL the union Presidents declared that the team finishing LAST in 2006 will be relegated & the Spears will make their debut in Super rugby. that agreement wa tested & found VALID in the Cape High Court…
now tell me how come the LIONS never got relegated?
mixing currie cup with franchises is delusional cos they stopped using it as a yardstick YEARS ago.
25 Feb 2013, 11:09 am
@Mr Black-99: I think about the same amount as finals the Sharks have played in and failed to win?
I could be wrong. The Guppie number might be higher.
wink wink nudge nudge
25 Feb 2013, 11:10 am
… and to make the kings of 2013 better than the Lions of 2012 they have to win more than 3 games ;o)
25 Feb 2013, 11:10 am
@Paws-78: Get over yourfreakenself!!!, would’ve accepted if the Lions were kept out the Super Rugby by the Kings if the Kings had the type of record the Lions have had in the last 6 years?, would you?, would you have thought that’s ok?
25 Feb 2013, 11:11 am
@nortierd-97:
Correct we went through this one night after the WC, I mentioned to a few around here that were saying Paddy and Brycie were on the take/match fixing etc that it was libel and they could be traced through their ISP’s.
25 Feb 2013, 11:13 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-105:
Ha ha
Great come back sharkslady
25 Feb 2013, 11:15 am
@XhosaKid-102:
Good to have you back in the mix!
Sorry about the result on Friday night.
Are you stocking with the Stormers or are you on the kings train?
25 Feb 2013, 11:17 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-95: Thank you Pedigree
The judge when giving his verdict on bail, questioned OP’s telling of events, everyone of those questions were exactly what I was asking myself when reading the affidavit! anyway it remains to be seen. My heart broke though when they interviewed her parents, that poor man! and when they showed her at the gates of the estate, my skin went cold, you were literally watching her drive to her death!
25 Feb 2013, 11:20 am
Super Rugby
Pos Team P W D L Pts
1 Brumbies 2 2 0 0 9
2 Chiefs 1 1 0 0 5
3 Kings 1 1 0 0 4
4 Blues 1 1 0 0 5
5 Bulls 1 1 0 0 4
6 Sharks 1 1 0 0 4
7 Reds 2 1 0 1 4
8 Rebels 2 1 0 1 4
9 Crusaders 0 0 0 0 4
10 Waratahs 1 0 0 1 4
11 Cheetahs 1 0 0 1 1
12 Force 2 0 0 2 1
13 Stormers 1 0 0 1 0
14 Highlanders 1 0 0 1 0
15 Hurricanes 1 0 0 1 0
Kings are the TOP SA Team ……………………………………………….Now that,
Oke Dokies,
makes a lot of you,
look a little silly.
25 Feb 2013, 11:20 am
@Paws-103:
Point 1. The Kings have not had the type of Super Rugby money the Lions have had and pissed away.
Point 2. Lions have used their Super Rugby money to bolster their CC unit, the Kings haven’t. The Kings played a Super Rugby game without a sponsor on their shirt.
Point 3. The Kings have played one Super Rugby game and have won it, Lions have lost 17 Super Rugby games in a row.
Point 4. The Kings deserve to get some Super Rugby money and be able to contract top players.
Point 5. Lets leave Lions out of Super Rugby for 10 years, and keep the Kings in, then on the 11th year, lets have a once off promo/relegation game between Kings & Lions, how about that ?
25 Feb 2013, 11:21 am
@Transformation-80: And that, as most people tend to forget is part of transformation. Transformation of rugby in the Eastern Cape, was always gonna be about more than just 15 players on the field. It’s about promoting the game of rugby, what was perceived as a sport for a certain group of the population, to a sport can be admired for its inclusive nature. Hats off to the people of the EC. You are well on your way to promoting rugby and the spirit of community in the EC.
25 Feb 2013, 11:22 am
No need to get over myself … that is the way I see it … and you, trans and others have your way of seeing things.
Lets just hope the rules don’t change and the Lions and kings get to meet in the play-off matches … it makes things so much easier and clean .. winner takes all.
Hopefully all teams will be included from 2016, and then we can go back to disliking teams for good old fashined reasons …. their supporters suck.
25 Feb 2013, 11:25 am
@gunther-110: I’m a Stormer for life, I don’t accept that we lost fair and square, the ref cheated
!!!!, I just don’t get the hatred directed at the Kings, if I was a Lions fan, I would directing my anger at the okes who ran the Lions down the drain, not at a third party like the Kings
25 Feb 2013, 11:27 am
@XhosaKid-113:
Stop trying to justify the Kings inclusion. Its futile, they are there, celebrate that.
I love Transies attitude this morning. Its all about the Kings and the supporters and the glory and the satisfaction. No negative i told you so bullshitt.
Go Transie jou fokkendoring.
25 Feb 2013, 11:27 am
@rossoneri-62: @XhosaKid-86: @Transformation-94:
Smile Boys and Girls,
Welcome to the Big Time.
25 Feb 2013, 11:29 am
It was lovely to be part of history in the making. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric and was a beautiful night for rugby. The attendance will even be more against the sharks.
25 Feb 2013, 11:30 am
@Sharksgirl-111:
Welcome back gorgeous.
25 Feb 2013, 11:31 am
@pedigree: Sexton will perform the role of head coach
and take charge of the forward pack with
some assistance from Barend Pieterse,
whilst his fellow Kiwi Brad Moar has been
appointed as attack coach with the
experienced Omar Mouneimne taking the
role of defensive specialist.
25 Feb 2013, 11:31 am
@Peter Mkata-119:
Derby games are more intense. Gonna be fun.
25 Feb 2013, 11:32 am
@Paws-106: They won’t win another game…
25 Feb 2013, 11:33 am
@Paws-115: What do you think of Point 5 of post 113. Therein lies the distortion that Lions and all other haters miss.
25 Feb 2013, 11:34 am
@cane-118: thanks Caner, t’was sweet to start in the “big time” with W…i said here last week the log will reflect Kings Played 1 Won 1 Lost 0
25 Feb 2013, 11:34 am
@Peter Mkata-119:
Games will get tougher Pete,
but there will be many more wins,
before the season is over.
25 Feb 2013, 11:38 am
The ref carried the Kings. Having made that point, I think the newcomers showed a lot of guts. It will be interesting to see whether they can cope once their momentum is halted.
25 Feb 2013, 11:38 am
@Paws-115: don’t get emotional; just answer my simple question. how did the Lions remain in Super rugby after finishing LAST in 2006?
*remember, domestic cups have zilch to do with franchise “qualification” in both SA & NZ.
25 Feb 2013, 11:40 am
@Lang Giel-127: lourens carried us? bwahahahahaha
are you hondo’s assistant?
25 Feb 2013, 11:42 am
-Kings win.
-The White Buffaloo returns a positive drug test.
- Oscar’s brother also before the Judicary.
- Policeman in charge Investigation into Reeva’s death has charges pending.
Only is SA Okes,
Only in SA.
25 Feb 2013, 11:42 am
i’m just glad we play the Sharks sans Bissy, Alberts, Whitehead & Keegan Cullen.
25 Feb 2013, 11:44 am
@Transformation-128: You’ll not get an answer but some rhetoric about that and this and that and this and so and so-so’s mum, Cheeky this, Cheeky that,,,,,blah blah blah. No honest or integrity at all, which is ironic if one considers that the main gripe against the Kings, is “lack of honesty & integrity “
25 Feb 2013, 11:48 am
@XhosaKid-124:
On what bases would the Lions be left out?
The A and B sections of the curry cup has been running for some time, in this time the Lions have managed to stay in the A-div, and the EP kings have never been able to get into the A-div … they are the best of the 2nd level.
…. and yes, I know that some will argue that you can’t use that as a yard stick, but in the absence of another yard stick this one will have to do, as the vast majourity of these players do make up the bulk of the super rugby franchise.
… and the main franchises have to share the super rugby money with there smaller unions .. not sure how EP fell out of that with the sharks. (this for trans about the lions using money to build cc squad ,, which leads to SR squad anyway)
In short … the Lions is just to strong a union to leave out of super rugby for 10 years, they have constantly been one of the top 5 unions in the history of SA rugby and will remain so .. purely rugby reasons, not polotical or administrative.
25 Feb 2013, 11:49 am
It just show how k@k the force are! let them be happy for a week, they will still loose all their remaing games
25 Feb 2013, 11:53 am
@pompies: our crowds are probably the most diverse in SA…i was @ Newlands for the Boks vs Argie match…i stuck out like a sore thumb in the grand stand…
that particular match reinforced Pissant’s refrain of “rugby in SA is predominantly supported by 50yr old white males”
justsayin
25 Feb 2013, 11:53 am
@cane-118: Thank you Cane. Many happy faces at the office today.
25 Feb 2013, 11:55 am
@Transformation-128:
They were still a better option than the alternative.
Are you seriously suggesting that EP was a stronger rugby union in 2006 than the Lions in 2006?
Do you honestly suggest that the spears had a better product to sell that the Lions at that stage based on rugby reasons?
25 Feb 2013, 11:57 am
@Transformation-131:
Trannie, one thing that intrigues me as I didn’t see the match. What would you say the racial breakdown of the crowd was in PE?
25 Feb 2013, 11:58 am
@Transformation-135:
If you love rugby, you love rugby and in my book that is enough to make everyone equal.
Problem with watching a test is the pricing of the tickets.
I can’t afford those prices, and even if I could, I would rather use the money on something else
25 Feb 2013, 12:01 pm
From Keo’s article:
“Grey High School, academically and culturally strong, is also Port Elizabeth’s most renowned sporting and rugby institution.”
Well some of you may not know…………
But Sir George Grey was also Governor of South Australia.
And after that, Governor of NZ (2 terms) and later Premier.
Perhaps the Super 15 Trophy, could be called The Grey Cup.
As he undoubtedly had a large influence on all 3 protagonists.
25 Feb 2013, 12:01 pm
For me to see that young boy not far from PE scoring those two tries after having showed a finger to the bulls amongst others. Imagine what the talk is during the breaks at some schools in EC. thanks to Cheeky and his team.
25 Feb 2013, 12:02 pm
Aussies getting a hiding by India…..1 wicket away from an innings loss……love it!!
25 Feb 2013, 12:02 pm
@Transformation-135: That was an odd experience wasn’t it.
25 Feb 2013, 12:03 pm
@Jeez-8: The Lions got “thrown out” For being the lowest ranked team.. there simply was not place for six teams.. if they managed to be above the Cheetahs, the cheetahs would have been gone this year.. So stop blaming politics!
I also do not agree the hand the kings we given, or the lions for that matter, but at least they played like they actually wanna be there… unlike some prima donnas I had to watch on Friday…
25 Feb 2013, 12:04 pm
Luke had those Kings snorting fire……best captain in SA by a country mile.
25 Feb 2013, 12:08 pm
@grant10-145:
4sure
25 Feb 2013, 12:08 pm
@nortierd-139:
You are not alone Nortie,
25 Feb 2013, 12:11 pm
No need to be nasty with sharkievarkie supporters ,keo.we know Hg heads off to France when things are tough and fernly fakes his death on here.
25 Feb 2013, 12:13 pm
Grant, Luke surprised me too. Am a big fan, he looked a bit unfit to me though. Imagine if he makes the Bok team. Some will commit suicide in here. Him making the team is not beyond the realms of possibility.
25 Feb 2013, 12:13 pm
@133
Great thing about sport is that a team can be better than the sum parts of the players. Otherwise we wouldn’t need to watch, we could just play top trumps.
While I was starting to warm to the Lions approach to the game, the fact that they were consistently woeful meant they should leave. I would rather have a new side getting whipped than the same side every year.
The lions had their turn & their management never did anything about it until it was too late.
I would be soooo angry to see the good stuff the management are doing now, because they are putting doubt in supporters minds that they may not be as uses as 10 years of non performance suggests.
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