The EP Kings have, according to a SARU press release, been docked all 9 of their Vodacom Cup log points, as well as fined R15 000 for breaching player eligibility rules.
The matter arose when the Pumas lodged a complaint about the Kings’ fielding of two players, Hannes Frankling and Jacques Coetzee, who had not been formally released from their contracts with the Mpumalanga union. The Pumas believe that a transfer fee was owed to them and the Kings’ decision to play both players in four matches, two friendlies and two Vodacom Cup fixtures, without the correct release certificates, seems to have come back to bite them.
The Kings were in second place on the Vodacom Cup South Section log, having amassed 9 points through victories against the Welwitschias and the Leopards and were a single point behind the log-leading Sharks XV. They will now move right down the table and will, of course, no longer have the option of fielding Franklin or Coetzee, less they face further censure. The Pampas XV, also on 9 points, are now second on the revised South Section log.
The Kings are free to appeal the decision, should they so wish.
Ag shame!!sad for megatroll indeed!!
ag well… live by the sword and all that
That’s harsh
But rules are rules.
Tough on the players, but their management should know better…
I do like the way this was done though. No back and forth in the press for weeks with threats from both sides.
The story was settled and we know the result. I would like the Lions much more if they behaved like this.
Nice comment
Hahaha nice going Kings!
AT LAST….SARU act against useless unions that are not good enough to may so they steel…
If you want a player…buy him out of his contract…hope the Sharks will learn from this too…and hope next that SARU takes action…
Seems the Kings just don’t bother with rules.
Defiant Kings face points blank-out
The Eastern Province Kings, in defiance of a South African Rugby Union ruling, faces further points deductions after continuing to field two ineligible players.
The two players, hooker Hannes Franklin and scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee, featured for the EP Kings in their 23-8 win over the Pumas (the former team of the duo) in a Vodacom Cup game last Friday in what appears to be another breach of regulations.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 9) :
What a bunch of chops..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : They’re saying they have appealed so therefor they are continuing to play them .
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) :
Thats stupid considering the outcome of the appeal is not known..
They are just throwing away points now..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) :
The reason for the initial points deduction was playing the players without a clearance cert. Pumas say they got the request for the clearance from the Kings TODAY.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) :
Haha.. Sometimes I think they do things just to make us laugh