SARU met with the South African Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tuesday, and suddenly sing a very different tune, saying that the Southern Kings will take part in Super Rugby 2013, but that their participation will NOT be at the expense of one of the five current franchises.
This report, exactly 24 hours after their other meeting, means a complete U-turn in SARU’s stance, now saying that the Lions (the lowest ranked South African team) will not be relegated, as this would mean one team losing Super Rugby status, and potentially meaning the end of the union.
How exactly SARU will manage to accommodate 6 South African franchises in 5 spaces of Super Rugby (SANZAR has made it very clear that an expansion is not negotiable), remains to be seen.
The more I report on this, the more it sounds like a very bad joke going down, with the exception that this is very real, and quite a few people are waiting anxiously on this decision, as there are literally livelihoods at stake.
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SARU explains Kings’ status to Parliamentary Portfolio Committee
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport was reassured on Tuesday that the Southern Kings would participate in the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby competition.
A delegation of the leadership of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) made a scheduled appearance before the committee to discuss a number of issues, including the Southern Kings.
“The Kings will play in the competition in 2013, but not at the expense of one of the other franchises,” Jurie Roux, the CEO of SARU, told the committee.
“Resolving that part of the equation is the issue at hand and we have a number of proposals to take to the Exco (Executive Council) and ultimately to the General Council for a decision in July.”
SARU also briefed the Committee on its Strategic Transformation Plan – which has been newly aligned to the Department of Sport’s National Sports and Recreation Plan – and also on the progress to establishing four SARU Academies as a pilot project in Boland, SWD, Border and Eastern Province.
“It was a very productive and useful meeting, which gave us an opportunity to share our plans with the Committee and understand the priorities and concerns of our parliamentary leaders,” said Roux.
“It was gratifying to be complimented on the improved quality of our presentation and for the professionalism of our organisation.”
Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs
Clear as mud, typical SARU. I think its clear that a merge is on the cards, but between whom?? And how will the money be split, 5 ways or 6??
There’s 2 options. Merge 2 unions or rewrite mathematics as we know it – ie 6 into 5 does go. SARU probabely have the effontry to believe they can rewrite mathematics….. 😈 😈
this is just clowning
what binding contract do the Kings have to compel SARU to play them? nothing! just all verbal agreements.
the Spears had a ratified Presidents Council resolution that was tested i na court of law and was deemed valid/legal and binding but did you see the Spears run on to the pitch in 2007?
i will only believe Oregan Hoskins & Co when i see the Kings run on to the pitch at NMB stadium to smash the Sharks! 😆
just relegate the sodding Lions and let’s all get on with life.
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
the Lions can be relegated .. ill still be here 😛
Ultimately to eradicate all the confusion this is what should happen. The Lions have been trying for over a decade to Perform at this level to no avail. If a team does not perform give another franchise an opportunity. In effect the Lions will get another chance in a years time when the next team is relegated. This doesn’t seem to be rocket science. All we need to ask is, who gains most!!!
@Zibbie (Comment 6) : yes, I know… I see that as a good thing, though 🙂
As long as the Sharks aren’t the team that has to merge then all cool.
@robdylan (Comment 8) : Rob, the European season has just ended. Shouldn’t we have started hearing recruitment noises from the Kings by now? For them to be at all competitive they need to assemble a squad now to participate in the Currie Cup First Div so that they can get used to each other.
@StevieS (Comment 9) : Why recruit expensive players from Europe if you can pick up a FEW class players from a relegated side cheap, cheap?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : Well, I see Jantjies, Strauss, Taute, Maku and Minnie as obvious candidates for recruitment, maybe Rhodes and Cilliers too. Who else do you think could do the job?
@StevieS (Comment 11) : I haven’t really bothered looking at names.
To me, the key would be to get a FEW not a bunch. You want a few players so that they can mentor and rub off on the local players in the squad and gradually reduce the number of imports.
@StevieS (Comment 9) : you expect them to send you a personal email each time they want to sign someone?
I’m sure it’s going on in the background
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Hahaha no man, just thought they would have announced any key signings by now
@robdylan (Comment 13) : well because StevieS doesn’t know, it’s not happening 🙄
Apparently a few of the Lions ‘old’ guard players contracts are coming to an end at the end of this season .
Wickus , Baywatch and Mister James ..
So .. we will see .
@Megatron (Comment 15) : Ah Transie, a sarcastic comment from you, what a surprise 😉
@StevieS (Comment 17) : don’t call me transie, you don’t know me like that 😕
@Megatron (Comment 18) : Hahaha and for that I’m eternally grateful my man.
Long and short of it is, you made a sarcastic comment in response to my query about recruitment of players by the Kings. I was actually asking because I’m genuinely interested in who they’ll get. I’m hoping for some of the old fan favourites. My statement was that they would need time to play together to gel before next years SR if they want to be able to compete. Then you go and make a snide comment which was quite frankly uncalled for.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : can you call hoskins or email jurie roux and ask him what their ‘Strategic Transformation Plan” entails and how will it affect the KZNRU and the Sharks? 😐
@Megatron (Comment 18) : Isn’t that your Keo name?
@StevieS (Comment 19) : @robdylan (Comment 13) : Hoping for Brent Russell to come back and maybe Ronnie Cooke. 2 classy players that would be worth watching!
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Any idea how club players can get involved in 7’s or get spotted by the Sharks Academy? Saw a guy playing rugby who’d be perfect! 95kg centre and he runs the hundred in 10.8.
If you have any contact details of agents please pass them on. Would like to see this guy get a shot!
@ChrisS (Comment 21) : my name here is Megatron, isn’t it.
@Megatron (Comment 23) : Just curious
@Megatron (Comment 4) : Are you smoking some Crack?
@Megatron (Comment 23) : Maybe you should edit it to Magatroll.
I haven’t posted alot on this subject but this WILL be the last.
I have supported the Lions since 1984 and I say relegate the bastards and get it over with.
It matters not whether one feels the Kings deserve or not, to be handed the SR spot. This shit should have been sorted out in 2007 already but as most of us know SARU is run by a bunch of spineless people obviously influenced by by the very same people that for decades now have been lurking in the background.
Which brings me to my next point …Those verkramptes that took over the Lions franchise after the Cats are solely responsible for the state of the Lions franchise and where are they all now ..GONE !
Money owed to Franchise partners and players refusing to go to practice instead opting to meet in Fourways when it suited them …seriously its a slap in the face of all faithful Lion supporters and I for one am sick of it …
Exactly how much time did they think they can keep plodding along whilst the pricks in the corridors keep getting their fat paychecks with empty promises to the fans year after year. Many know one of the main problems was the location of Ellis Park …they had a chance to move to a wonderful area in Roodeport but it was blocked …the great players that came thru the TVL youth systems sold off at an alarming rate some with dodgy contracts that could just bugger off with no hassle.
No man SCREW THEM !
I wish the Kings all the best when they finally get to play SR and lets wait and see they may just suprise alot of people.
PS : If the Lions do manage to stay I will not support them not until I see serious change and a complete overhaul at the Union/Franchise.
Not sure if anyone noticed, but the result against the Cheetahs this weekend ensured that the Sharks have avoided relegation…. (or whatever other peanut-brained outcome SARU comes up with) 😛
@csb (Comment 26) : Welcome to the ever-growing fanbase that is the Sharks supporters. 😎
@Megatron (Comment 20) : you know that’s not my bag, dude…
@klempie (Comment 27) : how do you figure that… can the Lions no longer overhaul us?
@robdylan (Comment 30) : Nope. They can get at most 25 points…and we would have to get none (which we’re not anyway because we get 4 for the bye coming up). 41 – 14 = 27.
@klempie (Comment 28) : well if we lose one more game then CSB can take my place until we get a new coach.
One more loss and I will stop commenting until Plumtree is replaced.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
How’s things oubaas?
One more loss and I will stop commenting until Plumtree is replaced. All bark and no bite. 😛
Btw, you’re a damn hypocrite.
@csb (Comment 26) :
The best summery I’ve heard and I am also fed up with this whole issue. I’m not even reading these articles anymore. Just let me know the FINAL outcome….not that I really care in any case!
@robdylan (Comment 30) : I don’t think the Lions can even overhaul the blues anymore 😥 😥
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : unless that loss is in the final. 🙂
@klempie (Comment 33) : I’m curious to know why you have that opinion.
Who here thinks there’s a chance that the Lions will be playing a CC promotion/relegation match this year? 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
You’ll go through with that threat? Does this include the play-offs? 😈
Who said csb WANTS you’re place in any event?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) : Time was when you lambasted me and accused me of gross treachery for wanting the Boks to lose so that they’d get rid of Snor. In one of the match blogs recently, you took the same position regarding the Sharks and Plum. 😕
@Pokkel (Comment 39) : It includes the final 🙂
I’m afraid I will. The little bit of a good mood I’m in comes from 2 reasonable wins. You don’t WANT me around if we lose another game. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 41) :
I don’t mind a good bitch and moan every so often! In fact I encourage it and will participate. 😀
@klempie (Comment 40) : That same “snor” (his name is PdV BTW) took the Boks to what should have been a RWC semi-final minimum had Bryce Lawrence and Paddy O’brien not rigged things so the kiwis could finally win RWC.
What has Plumtree done to deserve my loyalty or support?
@Pokkel (Comment 42) : 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 41) :
Reasonable wins…really ?
Ag nee Pops ..desert air getting to you ? 😉
Just imagine being a Province supporter …tropyless for 11 years …
Oh sorry Vodacom Cup recently.
Chin-up old boy I reckon the Sharks are coming together nicely.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 44) :
We might just have to do it on another forum!
We can always go voldy or RW for a day! 😈
@csb (Comment 45) : The Stormers haven’t been steadily dropping down the log year after year for the last 4 years though. 🙂
My standards are obviously higher than your average Stormers supporter. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) : Two Currie Cups? Nothing to sniff at. And remember, it wasn’t Snor that almost took the Boks to the semi-final. It was the backroom staff of Barney, Victoria and Jdv…with a late appearance by Rassie.
@Pokkel (Comment 46) : Rob would have a coronary. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 49) :
He would have one in anycase if we did a proper bitch session over here!
He doesn’t have to know we’ll just register other names and invite klempie, Culling and a few others.
@klempie (Comment 48) :
Hoe gaan dit klempie my maat?
@Pokkel (Comment 51) : Ja, nee. Ek’s still ou swaer. Lanklaas gesien. Wat se jy?
@Pokkel (Comment 50) : Sounds right up my alley. We should invite Megatroll as a dissenting voice to spice things up. 😈
@klempie (Comment 52) :
tikkel tokkel! Ek is ook maar stil. Die Sharks maak my so die donner in dat ek liewer maar my bek hou!
@Pokkel (Comment 54) : Ek weet wat jy bedoel.
@klempie (Comment 53) :
Sounds like a plan….we’ll just have to wait till the Sharks lose again!
@Pokkel (Comment 56) :
it shouldn’t be too long….. 😈
@klempie (Comment 48) : Yeah that’s true. BTW Jake White didn’t win the 2007 RWC either it was Eddie Jones. 😀
@Pokkel (Comment 56) : You available Sunday the 3rd of June? 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 58) : Yeh. Hand-picked by Jake himself. I hope you’re not suggesting that Barney et al were handpicked for coaching roles by Snor 😕 …and we all know that Rassie was forced in there.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 59) : You’ll have to count me out. I’m in Durbs.
@Pokkel (Comment 54) :
and we have Lions Supporters jumping ship to the Sharks ..
One of them is a players father who use to play for the Lions at center got loaned out to the Leopards and is now currently playing for the Griquas . but he seems to be a happier shark supporter . so i dont know whats wrong with you bunch 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 62) : Oom Dewald? I haven’t heard from him in ages.
@csb (Comment 26) : I would like to just once find out why Ellis Park is the main problem. Just without it the wrong part of town. There is tons of secure parking (would help if the dinosaurs in the ticket office are more helpful – of course). You do not need to go through Hillbrow to get there – there are other routes.
I would love to see the East Rand crowd going to Roodepoort. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 63) :
sort of a quite sharks supporter it seems 😉
@rekinek (Comment 64) : East Rand crowd all support the Bulls
@rekinek (Comment 64) :
We afrikaners always look for excuses not to do something ..
@Bokhoring (Comment 66) : Really? Cannot profess to be an expert here but the ones I know are the Lions (or Sharks hehe) – I know few Bulls supporters from Roodepoort though.
@Zibbie (Comment 67) : hmmm….and I haven’t even mention park & ride options 🙄
@rekinek (Comment 69) :
i think parking at the mac D’s is a good deal . but thats just me 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 70) : 😳 what’s mac D’s ❓
Mc Donalds 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 72) : 😆 yaa blonde moment I just can’t think where there is mac D near Ellis. where is it?
@Bokhoring (Comment 66) : Truth!
@rekinek (Comment 73) :
Its by the Shell Garages . Across from entrance 5 if you keep on walking straight away from the gate
@Zibbie (Comment 62) :
I think the difference is that the Lions supporters know that the Lions are shit. The Sharks supporters know they have a great team but nothing to show for it and we get our hopes up every year and then it’s gets destroyed yet again.
I don’t know which is worse?
@Zibbie (Comment 75) : oooh ok. know which gate but don’t think I know where your mac d is. we usually come and park from the side of Arena/ Cricket oval.
@Pokkel (Comment 76) : at least the Lions fans know what to expect and the rest is a bonus so they are able to have hair and nails.
@rekinek (Comment 77) : You going to the coke tin to watch rugby or to eat?? Huh?
@Ice (Comment 79) : ask Zibbie what’s better 😆
@rekinek (Comment 80) :
😆
@Ice (Comment 79) : Neither, I think they use it as a test to see if the tracker system in their cars still works . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 82) : 😈 who says that Joburg is for sissies.
@Original Pierre (Comment 82) : ahhhh! 😆
@rekinek (Comment 83) : Well if we have to judge them by their rugby teams’ performance . . . 😈
@Original Pierre (Comment 85) : if you want to do that … start with me and the (if you dare) move to Ice
@rekinek (Comment 86) : You guys are Lion supporters?
Come on guys lightnen up.
It`s almost the weekend where a famous victory awaits us!
@Original Pierre (Comment 87) : we from joooooburg
oh no, sorry … Ice is from the outer suburbs, where if they do not behave they will get the Lion’s den moved there 😆
@Ice (Comment 79) : Given that the Lions are playing I am sure the food is more exciting than the rugby 😉
@rekinek (Comment 88) : Well to be honest Joooooburg isn`t really that bad.
You`ve got a nice airport, Rivonia Blvrd, the Felions and . . . oh the N1 South!
@rekinek (Comment 64) :
Why tou rolling you eyes ..do u really need me to spell it out for you … The stadium and surrounding area is a shithole ..secure parking ..woohoo !
Its the people from the south that opposed the move to the ruimsig athletics stadium …what a joke …the stadium has bad karma and will never change ..hell even the players hate it..remember they have to drive there cor practice not the once a week u and I have too …its falling apart ! Have u not noticed ….and the south support don’t even bother going … I drive thru hillbrow it matters not to me …the issue is that its does not inspire anymore and its god damn depressing.
Have u been on a park and ride to ellis ? Ill gladly drive further to a stadium if it bubbled with energy and was pleasant to watch rugby there.
@rekinek (Comment 64) :
Why not tell me whats nice about going to Ellis Park and not the secure parking …
Funny how you jump on the one issue of the staduim and dont comment on the real issues …
Truth be told had the useless buggers managed the Union/franchise better and we were winning the staduim most probably wouldn’t be an issue.
Last years CC a good example.
Hell I would settle for a few seasons finishing mid-table .. 🙂
@rekinek (Comment 80) :
Most definitely the food 😛
@Original Pierre (Comment 90) :
Careful .. if you drive to far on the N1 south you end up in the vaal triangle .. then your in REAL trouble 😛
@csb (Comment 92) : indeed (i whole-heartedly agree) funny how I need to jump on the issue of the stadium. The answer is because as quoting yourself:
“Many know one of the main problems was the location of Ellis Park”
so since in your OWN opinion the stadium is the main problem to blame – I do request that you explain in a greater detail why.
I do love seeing Ellis emerging from between the cities structures. if you ask me it’s collossal – it is my favourite sporting venue in SA. I took there many foreign visitors and all have been impressed.
I have never been to park & drive. I have always drove to ellis (parking ticket or not) and parked within the vicinity of the stadium (secure parking or not). never had the slightest problem.
If the Lions players have a problem with this historic venue – let them go to Ruimsig, which is in the middle of nowhere (if you ask me) but as it seems to be the place the lions union is going – perhaps it is indeed suitable.
@Zibbie (Comment 93) : or even worse – you get to the Cape
@Zibbie (Comment 93) : 😆