Kings to 'loan' players from other franchises
This was one of several declarations by Eastern Province Rugby Union President Cheeky Watson, when he addressed the media after his fund-raising trip to Australia.
Watson, at the media briefing in Port Elizabeth, also confirmed the appointment of Brent Janse van Rensburg as the head coach of the Southern Kings for the 2016 season.
The South African Rugby Union mobi-unit – which includes experts such as Jacques Nienaber (defence), Louis Koen (kicking), Pieter de Villiers (scrums), Willie Maree and Chean Roux – will bolster the Kings coaching staff.
Watson described the decision by SARU to step in and take over control of the Kings as "Plan B".
"I put the call in to SARU to come and bring stability, so that we can stop haemorrhaging players and focus on our preparations for Super Rugby," he said.
Watson said he was constantly engaging with SARU, including President Oregan Hoskins, and that the details around the implementation of the assistance still needed to be fleshed out.
"The cash flow crisis we have experienced is like a Greek tragedy," Watson said.
"We want to thank SARU for stepping in to assist and we welcome whatever contributions they bring," he added.
Addressing the issue of non-payment, Watson said that the junior team players had been paid their salaries on Wednesday, but that the senior players and staff were still owed.
"The funding for the junior players comes from broadcasting rights received by the union from SARU," he said.
Addressing the loss of five senior players, four of whom are of colour, due to the current financial crisis and non-payment at the union, Watson said it was never a good thing to lose players.
"One is never happy to lose any players," he said of the departure of wing Luther Obi, utility back Sylvian Mahuza, loose forward Tim Agaba, centre Tim Whitehead and prop Lizo Gqoboka – who all terminated their contracts with the franchise.
Watson said he had already been in discussions with some of the other unions around gaining access to fringe players on loan to the union ahead of the tournament.
"Unions have indicated that they will make fringe players available.
"What I have found is that given the opportunity, these players will rise to the occasion," he said.
Watson said he was confident that there was still enough time to get a team together ahead of the Super Rugby tournament next year.
"It all depends on what players we can get, but all players on loan will be up to speed on conditioning," he said.
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