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EP rugby boss Cheeky Watson says he believes the Southern Kings are well within their rights to send four foreign players on the Australasian leg of their super-rugby tour.
SARU has limited each franchise to two foreign players.
Watson says its open to interpretation exactly what constitutes a foreign-player.
He says EP rugby would never intentionally, or unintentionally act against a directive from SA Rugby.
AlgoaFM news understands that the foreign-player issue hinges on the status of Argentine players within the South African system. SA Rugby included the Pampas XV from Argentina in the Vodacom Cup two seasons ago as part of a plan to grow the game in that country ahead of the Argentine National team's inclusion in the Rugby Championship last season.
The various franchises in South Africa have also been encouraged to sign up Argentine players and field them in their respective competitions.
Watson says the fact that the Southern Kings attracted more than 100 000 spectators to its first three matches at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and the way the team performed against the Force, Sharks and Chiefs, was further proof that there was a place for big time rugby in the Eastern Cape.
