The Southern Kings will embrace the chance to explore new playing opportunities in view of the strategic SANZAAR decision to revamp the Vodacom Super Rugby competition, the franchise and SA Rugby announced on Friday.
The announcement was made just before a Special General Meeting of SA Rugby in Cape Town to formally confirm South Africa’s four participants in the competition in line with a SANZAAR decision to reduce the competition’s participants from 18 to 15 teams from next season.
The new structure will comprise four teams from South Africa, five from New Zealand, four from Australia and one each from Argentina and Japan. SA Rugby will confirm the four participants after the Special General Meeting.
The Southern Kings will explore multiple other international competition opportunities and an announcement on those opportunities is expected shortly.
Andre Rademan, president of the EPRU, said: “It has been a roller coaster ride for the franchise for a number of seasons but there is now a clear and viable way forward for rugby in the Eastern Cape to build on the foundations that have been laid – particularly in the past season.
“We have enjoyed Vodacom Super Rugby but the chance to test ourselves against different opposition in different conditions is a mouth-watering one. We are therefore not opposed to joining new competitions. With all stakeholders pulling in the same direction we can bring success and excitement to rugby in the Eastern Cape.”
The Portfolio Committee of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature aired stiff opposition to the Kings’ anticipated axing from Super Rugby next year.
Along with the Cheetahs, the Kings are expected to receive the news today that they will be cut from Super Rugby as SA Rugby finalises its decision to reduce the number of South African teams involved in the competition to just four.
The two franchises have been expected to make way as Super Rugby is reduced from 18 to 15 teams and it is understood representatives from Saru, including the president, Mark Alexander, have visited both this week to discuss their fate.
That would pave the way for them to join the Pro12 as early as the new season, a radical move by the Celtic League but one that on face value suits all parties. The Pro12 has for a while sought expansion to boost revenues and admitting the Cheetahs and the Kings would significantly increase TV income. The main sponsor Guinness would also relish the opportunity to expand in Africa.
For the South African franchises, joining the Pro12 makes sense. The cumulative investment in both over the past 10 years is around R790 Million and soon they will be left with no competition to play in, not to mention empty stadiums in Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein.
Toyota Cheetahs have also reached agreement with SA Rugby on Vodacom Super Rugby participation:
The Toyota Cheetahs have opted for a settlement with SA Rugby regarding their Vodacom Super Rugby Participation Agreement. The Toyota Cheetahs did not take part in the criteria process as they had an agreement in place till 2020, but the Board of the Cheetahs have decided on an amicable settlement with SA Rugby.
This will allow the Toyota Cheetahs to explore other international competition opportunities, according to Harold Verster, CEO of the Toyota Cheetahs.
“The board of the Toyota Cheetahs has reviewed the team’s future and is extremely positive about the prospect of appearing in alternative international competitions. It will be an exciting challenge for our players, supporters and commercial partners and will be the start of a new chapter for rugby both in our region and in South Africa. Also, it will allow the Toyota Cheetahs to carve out a new and prominent place on the rugby map in South Africa as well as internationally,” he said.
The announcement was made before a Special General Meeting of SA Rugby in Cape Town on Friday which will formally confirm South Africa’s four participants in the competition next season. The meeting has been called to determine SA’s entrants to fall in line with a SANZAAR decision to reduce the competition’s participants from 18 to 15 teams from next season. The new structure will comprise four teams from South Africa, five from New Zealand, four from Australia and one each from Argentina and Japan.
An announcement on those opportunities for the Toyota Cheetahs is expected shortly.
Friday’s General Meeting will continue as scheduled as SA Rugby still have the constitutional responsibility to confirm SA’s entrants in the competition.
Alan Straton
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