SA Rugby ‘urged’ to keep Kings in Super Rugby

06 Jul 2017 | Admin Author

PORT ELIZABETH, July 6 (ANA) – The Portfolio Committee of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature has 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 this week 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.
While the Cheetahs have repeatedly highlighted the fact that they have struggled to perform with an ‘axe’ hanging over their heads this season, the Kings have responded with an impressive display of fighting spirit.
Besides providing exposure for talented local players of colour such as Malcolm Jaer, Makazole Mapimpi, Masixole Banda and Andisa Ntsila, the Kings have clinched five victories in a campaign that has exceeded many expectations.
With the Kings having only gone from strength to strength this season, Vuyani Limba, who serves as the DSRAC Portfolio Chairperson in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, implored SA Rugby to ensure that the Port Elizabeth-based franchise did not become a “sacrificial” lamb.
“We wish to warn SARU (South African Rugby Union) against targeting the Southern Kings for elimination from Super Rugby Competition to meet the SANZAAR (South African, New Zealand, Argentina and Australian Rugby) requirement of 15 teams in the entire competition,” Limba commented.
“As the representatives of the Eastern Cape people, where precisely 1 528 345 people voted the African National Congress (ANC) in our province into power during the 2014 general elections, we reject the purported elimination of the Southern Kings franchise from Super Rugby competition, as has been widely reported in the mainstream media.”
Limba went on to present a 10-point list in an argument for the Kings to retain their place in Super Rugby.
“We are not threatening SARU leadership, but would like them to urge the entire SARU council to refrain from making (the) Southern Kings a sacrificial lamb because such will be tampering with the cornerstone of rugby transformation, which is key in government agenda.”
Limba added that any failure from SA Rugby to “act responsibly” could impact on their efforts to make a successful bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
As it is, the SA Rugby general council is set to gather for a special meeting in Cape Town on Friday, where the Kings and Cheetahs are expected to learn their fate.
It’s widely believed that even if the two franchises are cut from Super Rugby, they will be accommodated in Europe’s Pro12 competition from possibly as early as next season. – African News Agency (ANA)