MyPE

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No We Were Not Bribed says EP

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According to the EP Kings Twitter account:

According to other media:

The Southern Kings have accepted a multi-million rand offer from the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to postpone their inclusion in the Super Rugby competition.

The Weekend Argus reports that the Kings agreed to delay their Super Rugby entry until 2016 in exchange for R40m and Currie Cup Premier Division status from next year.

This comes after SARU earlier this year announced that the Kings would play Super Rugby in 2013. SARU was hoping to convince SANZAR to extend the competition to 16 teams in the hope of having six South African teams, but SANZAR made it clear the competition will remain with 15 teams for at least the next few years.

SARU is now hoping that by 2016 a negotiation could be reached to expand the competition to 16 teams.

The Kings apparently accepted the multi-million rand deal because they weren’t successful in luring enough top-flight players to the franchise for next year.

This news will be welcomed by rugby fans in Johannesburg as the Lions – who was the last-placed SA team in Super Rugby this year – were likely to be relegated at the expense of the Eastern Cape franchise.

According to EP spokesperson, Sakhi Gqeba, Cheeky Watson said that the reports are without truth.

According to my opinion R40 million is NOT enough to buy the Kings non participation in Super Rugby until 2016 – a better figure will be R400 Million.

My reasons for questioning this are:

  • The value of Super Rugby to Port Elizabeth far exceeds R40 Million in tourism and media exposure benefits
  • Local media have always been promised that they will be the FIRST to hear of any major developments in Eastern Province rugby
  • EP Rugby have had a fanatical focus on attaining Super Rugby status
  • To accept money from SARU would be a slap in the face of every player, coach and administrator in Eastern Province
  • Accepting money would be tantamount to admitting that the Port Elizabeth rugby loving public have been lied to every step of the way
  • If it is true then, personally, I would be shattered that a belief in the RIGHT THING could be bought
  • Imagine how shattered local players would be to hear that their plans to form part of an EP Super Rugby team had been taken away from them?

What do you think?

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.