The value of the Kings victory over the weekend should not only be measured in the final score or their ‘readiness’ program for Super Rugby 2013.
The Southern Kings saga has been dragging on for years in SA Rugby. It was a concept created under the Brian van Rooyen era almost 6 years ago now, which up and till last Saturday, was a bit of a joke in South African rugby.
The Southern Kings (before Spears) has seen SA Rugby as a whole suffer. Battles on behalf of this franchise or region were fought more in boardrooms and courtrooms than on the field. This public mud-slinging also saw the unions in this region suffer greatly, where seeming lack of accountability of administrators, filtered down to the union’s most important assets, the players and coaches.
No-one wanted to be associated with this concept or franchise, which meant no business saw any value to invest in them, not to mention the lack of buy-in from the local supporters in this region.
Talented players saw this region and its union as either a nice place to play out their careers, or as a stepping stone to something bigger. No-one was willing to invest in them, which meant there was simply no sense of trust or sustainability in the region and its unions.
Today still you will read about a union like SWD, whose players are fighting legal battles for outstanding salaries which they are owed.
But that was to be expected. I mean if you try and sell a franchise, or concept to the rugby supporting public, and base that argument on everything else but rugby, do not expect much support or respect.
Through the years this region tried to pass themselves off as a rugby product by marketing themselves as a political vehicle, which is why it failed.
Where most people will point at the final score to show the victory achieved by the Kings on the day, I believe victory for this team, and for this region, was achieved before the ball was kicked off, when they were cheered by tens of thousands of local supporters as they took the field which continued as the game went on.
And as many of us believed for years now, once you achieve that as a union, to get people and most importantly supporters to back you, the result at the end of 80 minutes will also take care of itself.
True!
I am still of the opinion that they need to play Currie Cup rugby before playing in the Super 15 because they will have more exposure to plating stronger teams, but they must earn it and qualify for the Currie Cup. But good on them for improving, it can only be good for SA rugby in general.
Oor die CB formaat: my voorstel sou wees dat die span wat eerste ge-eindig het in die b-liga, outomaties opskuif na die a-liga, en die span wat 8ste ge-eindig het afskuif na die b-liga.
The rugby battle boils down to having a very good coach who is able to achieve results with a playing squad that is a mixture of young inexperienced and largely unknown players, coupled with slightly more experienced players who are simply not required by the top franchises.
To set about a plan and go forward with this player pool takes clever coaching, until the results and crowd support allow the franchise to attract a better quality of professional player, and then this momentum means success goes a long way towards breeding success.
So all power to Solly!!
I am slowly being converted to a Kings fan… why? Well
1.) they ARE building a nice player base, with almost no big sponsors. And that has to say something about the enthusiasm and vibe that surrounds the camp. Why else but absolute self believe and a clear road ahead would players go there, as supposed to, Grikwas or Cheetahs?
2.) Solly is the man! He is not there for the money, and it seems like he has big plans to go forward.
3.) Another big and competitive Union in SA would spice up the CC even MORE.
4.) Market. There are so many good schools in that region, and judging by the turn out for the Kings/B&I Lions game, as well as this game (despite expecting a loss) people seem to support and love the idea!
And also, its another coastal team. hahaha
al die euforie omdat die kings se eerste span gewen het teen die bulle se vodacom cup span
@ smallies72:
Cheetahs beter sorg dat hulle pelle bly met die klomp, Leeus koop nou dat dit bars , hulle wil duidelik nie laaste eindig nie.
Just a reminder to all the Sharks supporters out there.
The Natal team were NEVER able to win a Promotion / Relegation series to claim a place in the top tier of the CC.
It took a “re-shuffle” of the competition by the then SARB tp bring Natal into the fold. A move which was prompted in the most part because the SARB at the time wanted the “Test Unions” all to play in the premier competition.
Of course we all acknowledge that the Natal / Sharks Union took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck and have never looked back.
Whilst things have changed somewhat since those days, the Eastern Cape area remains one of the most active areas for Rugby development and produces a large number of quality “players of colour”.
EP have (to the best of my knowledge) always been a “Test Union.”
Is it not time to “make a plan” to bring them back into the fold somehow?
@ Scrumdown:
It really looks like they also took the task by the scruff of the neck, i am glad and wish them well. Will be sad if one of the other teams lose out then , so i really hope we can expand the Super competition.
@ superBul:
I think what’s important is that EP have to start playing at a higher level (CC Premier) in order to really test the depth of their player base in terms of injuries and REAL fitness levels over a longer period of time.
Once they start holding their own against the “Big 5” and winning a fair percentage of those games then look at Super Rugby opportunities.
As far as Super Rugby is concerned if a team is too weak, (eg the Lions) then they should sit out for a year.
That’s how it used to work in the Super 10 days.
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