The Southern Kings on Sunday announced the signing of the first 20 players to their new Vodacom Super Rugby squad and former captain Luke Watson is not among them.
The group will report for duty at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday for the continuation of administration and logistical preparations as well as working on strength and conditioning programmes.
SARU says more signings will be made before the completed squad report for duty on 4 January.
SARU also confirmed the players would be paid during the course of the week for November and December by a new holding company created, and wholly owned, by the South African Rugby Union to manage the financial affairs of the Southern Kings.
Charl Crous – the CEO of the Eastern Province Rugby Union – was also confirmed as the chief operating officer of the Southern Kings. He has relinquished his role at the EPRU to take up the position.
And in a statement issued on Sunday night, Luke Watson said that while he was dissapointed for himself and the many other players who did not make the squad, he was extremely happy for those that made it.
He said the most imporant thing now is for the players, the city and the province to get behind the Southern Kings.
Southern Kings signings (to date):
|
Malcolm Jaer |
20 |
Fullback |
|
Siyanda Grey |
26 |
Wing/centre |
|
JP du Plessis |
24 |
Centre |
|
Stefan Watermeyer |
27 |
Centre |
|
Elgar Watts |
30 |
Flyhalf |
|
Louis Fouche |
25 |
Flyhalf |
|
Shane Gates |
23 |
Flyhalf |
|
James Hall |
19 |
Scrumhalf |
|
Kevin Luiters |
23 |
Scrumhalf |
|
Aidon Davis |
21 |
No 8 |
|
Sipato Junior Pokomela |
19 |
No 8 |
|
Cyril-John Velleman |
20 |
Flank |
|
Stefan Willemse |
23 |
Flank |
|
Thembelani Bholi |
25 |
Flank |
|
Cornell Hess |
26 |
Lock |
|
Steven Sykes |
31 |
Lock |
|
Tyler Paul |
20 |
Lock/flank |
|
Schalk Ferreira |
31 |
Prop |
|
Tom Botha |
25 |
Prop |
|
Edgar Marutlulle |
27 |
Hooker |
