Super Rugby newcomers, the Southern Kings, are busy finalising their squad for next year’s tournament.
Sport24
Despite a number of recent signings made public over the last few weeks, the Kings’ elite squad for next year still remains a mystery.
“Today (Monday) we started working with a group of almost 40 and hope to have a better idea with where things stand by Saturday,” coach Matt Sexton said.
“The players are being evaluated. We’re looking at their fitness levels and if they have any injury niggles.
“We’re also conducting blood tests and other medical evaluations.
“We’re looking at their strength and skills – everything that can help is give decent feedback to a player.
“Some of them obviously won’t make the elite squad. They will play for the EP Kings in the Vodacom Cup,” said Sexton.
Recent signings from other franchises include flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis (WP), hooker Bandise Maku (Lions), lock Steven Sykes (Sharks) and centre Andries Strauss (Cheetahs).
Meanwhile, the Kings are still waiting for an answer to their plea to pick four foreign players in their squad – two more than the allowed number.
Hadleigh Parkes, Nicolas Vergallo, Tomas Leonardi and Eusebio Guinazu could all be included if SARU agrees to the request.
The issue will be further discussed at a SARU Executive Committee meeting on 4 December.
Stillborn unfortunately.
The Kings already have Paul Perez, a Samoan, and Clint Newland, a New Zealander. Now when I went to school 1+1 = 2. So, if you’re allowed 2 foreign players, and you HAVE 2 foreign players, and then recruit another 4, surely that makes 6?
Ah WTF SARU, let them pick a team of foreigners.
@ Scrumdown: So much for the transformed team of SA?? they can have those players boet, they will get whipped all the same
3 @ Sharks_forever:
As a die hard Lions supporter, I say give them a chance.
The Lions have done zip for over a decade, and don’t desrve to be there. The Cheetahs also probably don’t really deserve to be there.
IMO, Souh Africa should really only have 3 teams in the SR competition. Then at least those 3 would all be COMPETEITIVE.
SR has become far too diluted in terms of the quality of Rugby being played. To make it a truly competetive compwetition again, IMO they should be reducing thr number of teams.
4 NZ teams, 3 Aussie teams, and 3 SA teams. – Strength v Strength.
What really disgusts me and I totally disagree with is the way that SARU go about doing their business. They are supposed to be the guardians of Rugby in SA, but the only thing they guard are their secrets. They do nothing for the enhancement or development of the game IMO.
The top management are certainly not worth their salaries IMO.
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