The Southern Kings may not exactly be the flavour of the month in South Africa, but coach Alan Solomons is forging ahead – determined to make them a competitive Super Rugby outfit in 2013.

rugby365

Amidst demands from the big five (if you read between the lines it may be construed as boycott threats) and a string of defeats against current Super Rugby franchises, the Kings remain determined to take their place on the SANZAR stage in 2013.

Solomons, speaking to this website in an exclusive interview, carefully sidestepped the controversy surrounding his team’s inclusion in Super Rugby 2013.

He was not entertaining any questions about what is transpiring between the South African Rugby Union and the big five – Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs, Bulls and Lions.

The Kings’ mentor admitted that the pre-season results of the various teams making up the Kings are not making for good reasons.

A Bulldogs/Eagles XV lost 20-33 to the Cheetahs, the EP Kings lost 12-16 to the Bulls, the EP Kings lost 13-38 to the Stormers and the Eagles/Bulldogs XV 0-88 to the Lions.

“You have to look past that [the defeats],” Solomons told this website, adding that there is a well-planned recruitments strategy in place to ensure the Kings are not an embarrassment to SA rugby once they get their opportunity in Super Rugby.

“What it is all about, up till now, is making sure that our structures are in place, that our planning is in place,” he said, adding: “This year is a key part of our preparation for getting into Super Rugby.”

Solomons revealed that the Kings will enter into the European market to bolster their team.

“These guys that are playing at the moment, they get first bite at the cherry … they have an opportunity in these five matches to put up their hands.

“Then, in terms of our recruitment, we look at South Africans in Europe who are coming off contract in June.

“Also, as an alternative resource, the South Africans playing domestically, who come of contract at the end of the year.

“In terms of our actual preparation, we have got everything in place in terms of our structure, in terms of our policy … which incorporates our recruitment strategy.”

Solomons said recruitment is a “very, very big part” of their planning this year.

“Obviously the First Division [competition later this year] is crucial for us.

“The players that play for us this year will provide the core and they will be added to, from players who play domestically in South Africa at the moment – when their contracts come to an end at the end of the year.

“We only have a small percentage [of the current Kings squad] contracted for 2013.

“Assuming there are other guys who make a statement [this year], they will then be considered and then you bring in some players from Europe, that core is quite important to you.

“That is why it is important you ensure the systems are in place, the strategies you put in place this year are good to go for 2013.”

Solomons said the players that come off contract in Europe will be their primary source for recruitment, along with players coming off contract domestically.

“You have to have your structures in place, you have to have your planning in place and the key here is your recruitment,” he added.