The new franchise from the Eastern Cape (formerly known as the Southern Spears) will officially be known as the Southern Kings.
The Eastern Cape franchise will launch with a game against the British & Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth on 16 June. The Kings squad will be named at a later date, but is set to include a host of Vodacom Cup players as well as players originally hailing from the region.
A coach is yet to be appointed, although former Bulls mentor Heyneke Meyer has been linked to the job. WP and the Stormers have confirmed Rassie Erasmus will see out his contract with the Cape union which expires at the end of 2010.
Source: keo.co.za
A new rugby franchise will be launched in June for the Eastern Cape, being a joint venture between the Eastern Province and Border Rugby Unions in consultation and with the backing of the South African Rugby Union with the aim to join Super Rugby.
The new franchise will be launched in Port Elizabeth on June 16/17 to coincide with the presence of the British & Irish Lions in the city for a match against a Coastal XV. The date of the match against the Lions is expected to be confirmed shortly.
The meeting was chaired by Mark Alexander, the deputy president of SARU, and attended by Cheeky Watson, the president of Eastern Province, SARU president Oregan Hoskins, SARU vice-president Rautie Rautenbach and Andy Marinos, acting managing director of SA Rugby.
“It was an extremely positive meeting and there was broad agreement on the way forward,” said Mr Alexander. “All parties see the proper placing and establishment of sound structures as a key priority to ensure the success of the South Eastern Cape franchise.
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Speculation in the media this weekend that Heyneke Meyer might be linked for a position at the Eastern Cape Super 14 franchise the Southern Spears is nothing more than premature speculation.
Weekend reports suggested that Meyer was being considered for the position of Director of Rugby for the franchise formerly known as the Southern Spears.
However, this has been dismissed as “premature speculation” by a source close to Meyer, who said the coach will not make a decision about his future until his current situation is resolved.
Meyer returned to South Africa during the busy United Kingdom festive season because of serious family illness.
In a media release at the time the Board of Leicester Tigers said it respects Meyer’s position and the club offers him and his family its full support.
“The extent of his absence will be assessed over the next two weeks and kept under review,” the statement said.
Meyer’s future at Tigers was thrown further in doubt after club chairman Peter Tom confirmed that he was unsure when, or if, the South African would be returning. Tom, at the time, suggested that Meyer would not be back before February at the very earliest.
The Leicester chairman, Tom, conceded the situation “put a doubt” over Meyer continuing with the club which he only joined before the start of this season following the departure of former Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda.
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