Watson loses out as Kings break ranks
rugby365 can reveal that 20-odd players have already accepted contracts from Southern Kings South African Rugby – the new body formed by the SARU to run the Eastern Cape franchise.
The biggest surprise to emerge from the confirmation that the players have finally broken ranks in Port Elizabeth, is that Luke Watson did not make the final Super Rugby cut.
Watson was initially earmarked as captain of the Southern Kings team, but in one of several dramatic developments in the past week his name was removed from the SKSAR 'wishlist'.
The latest developments come in the wake of weeks of uncertainty, with players handing over a petition to the Eastern Province Rugby Union President Cheeky Watson over unpaid salaries and threats that the players were ready to cancel their membership of the South African Rugby Players Association.
While the players had all signed the documents and were ready to walk out on the players' union, SARPA, they had a change of heart.
After some intense behind the scenes negotiations on Thursday, the players who were offered SKSAR contracts had a change of heart – even though these contract offers are way below market related salaries.
rugby365 can reveal that the absolute minimum salary for any Super Rugby player – as required by SANZAAR regulations – is ZAR35,000.
However, most players earn well above that – based on their experience and market value.
Despite not being happy with the salaries on offer, the Kings players were caught between a rock and hard place.
They had a choice – stand by their EP Kings teammates who have not received Super Rugby contract offers and haven't been paid for three months, or save their own careers and accept the massive salary cuts that came with the SKSAR contracts.
SARU/SKSAR were ready to go to 'Plan B' if the players did not sign by Thursday's deadline.
The Nelspruit-based Pumas were said to be the alternative option if the Kings players continued to play hardball.
The players eventually signed with SKSAR and it is believed they were paid their outstanding EP Kings salaries as part of the compromise.
It will no doubt cause further unhappiness in Port Elizabeth, where a substantial number of players are still left without a livelihood and a very bleak Christmas.
The Kings supporters club – Kings #red&blackarmy – has taken to fund raising on their Facebook page to assist the players who are without contracts.
While noble and a gesture that will bring some relief – by Friday the fund had surpassed the ZAR50,000 mark – it will fall far short of the enormous amount of outstanding debt the players have accrued in the past few months.
Some, like hooker Michael van Vuuren, has already made public his intentions of taking legal action against the EPRU over outstanding salaries.
Some players have started looking for, and found, alternative employment.
The players' union, SARPA, have again stressed they will do whatever possible and within their means to help the remaining players – even assisting in cases where players wish to go the legal route to recoup outstanding salaries.
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
