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The Southern and EP Kings:
The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union team that applied, but failed, to gain a place in Super Rugby from 2011 in a to-be-formed Australian conference in Super Rugby. They were formed in 2009 in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. On November 12, 2009, SANZAR arbitrators rejected their bid to join Super Rugby, awarding the 15th licence to the Melbourne Rebels.
The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 16. The idea for the team was to develop rugby in the Eastern Cape but there were only two current Border Bulldogs in the team against the Lions. There were also worries that the team would remain a one game wonder and fold much like its predecessors, the Southern Spears
The Southern Kings franchise area would be made up of Eastern Cape, and parts of the Western Cape. They will draw players from 3 provincial unions, namely the Eastern Province Kings, based in Port Elizabeth, the Border Bulldogs, based in East London and the SWD Eagles, based in George. The SWD Eagles represent the South Western Districts of South Africa, in the Western Cape. The Eastern Province Kings represent the southern half of the Eastern Cape, while the Border Bulldogs represent the northern half of the Eastern Cape.
History:
The Southern Kings are the latest attempt to bring a Super Rugby side to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Previously in 2005, there was an attempt to do so in the form of a franchise called the Southern Spears, who were intended to participate in the Super 14 from 2007 onwards; however, their proposed entry into the competition led to considerable controversy within the country's rugby establishment. In April 2006, after concerns over the franchise's financial stability and sporting competitiveness, the Spears were denied entry into the Super 14. Following this, the Southern Spears effectively ceased to exist.
In January 2009, the SARU announced that a new franchise in the Eastern Cape Province would be launched in June of that year to coincide with the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth for one of their midweek tour matches.[3] The franchise is to be launched with the goal of a future place in Super Rugby, but no timetable for its inclusion has been set. The President of the Eastern Province, Cheeky Watson, said "There is a desperate hunger for top-flight rugby in the South Eastern Cape and this is the first step to satisfying it,â€. The franchise was officially announced on the SARU website in April 2009
With Jaco Engels, Ronnie Uys, Monty Dumond, Tiger Mangweni, Barend Pieterse and De Wet Barry are some players who bring experience into the team and with news reaching the world that Luke Watson is moving there, it can't be long before the Provincial team promotes to the Premier Division.
Stadium:
The Eastern Province Kings play their matches in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
The Southern Kings will also be using this venue when they finally get into the Super Rugby competition.
For everyone who wants to talk in detail about this team and the future franchise, Go ahead!
The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union team that applied, but failed, to gain a place in Super Rugby from 2011 in a to-be-formed Australian conference in Super Rugby. They were formed in 2009 in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. On November 12, 2009, SANZAR arbitrators rejected their bid to join Super Rugby, awarding the 15th licence to the Melbourne Rebels.
The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 16. The idea for the team was to develop rugby in the Eastern Cape but there were only two current Border Bulldogs in the team against the Lions. There were also worries that the team would remain a one game wonder and fold much like its predecessors, the Southern Spears
The Southern Kings franchise area would be made up of Eastern Cape, and parts of the Western Cape. They will draw players from 3 provincial unions, namely the Eastern Province Kings, based in Port Elizabeth, the Border Bulldogs, based in East London and the SWD Eagles, based in George. The SWD Eagles represent the South Western Districts of South Africa, in the Western Cape. The Eastern Province Kings represent the southern half of the Eastern Cape, while the Border Bulldogs represent the northern half of the Eastern Cape.
History:
The Southern Kings are the latest attempt to bring a Super Rugby side to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Previously in 2005, there was an attempt to do so in the form of a franchise called the Southern Spears, who were intended to participate in the Super 14 from 2007 onwards; however, their proposed entry into the competition led to considerable controversy within the country's rugby establishment. In April 2006, after concerns over the franchise's financial stability and sporting competitiveness, the Spears were denied entry into the Super 14. Following this, the Southern Spears effectively ceased to exist.
In January 2009, the SARU announced that a new franchise in the Eastern Cape Province would be launched in June of that year to coincide with the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth for one of their midweek tour matches.[3] The franchise is to be launched with the goal of a future place in Super Rugby, but no timetable for its inclusion has been set. The President of the Eastern Province, Cheeky Watson, said "There is a desperate hunger for top-flight rugby in the South Eastern Cape and this is the first step to satisfying it,â€. The franchise was officially announced on the SARU website in April 2009
With Jaco Engels, Ronnie Uys, Monty Dumond, Tiger Mangweni, Barend Pieterse and De Wet Barry are some players who bring experience into the team and with news reaching the world that Luke Watson is moving there, it can't be long before the Provincial team promotes to the Premier Division.
Stadium:
The Eastern Province Kings play their matches in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
The Southern Kings will also be using this venue when they finally get into the Super Rugby competition.
For everyone who wants to talk in detail about this team and the future franchise, Go ahead!
