Lions make way for Kings

This side was given super 15 status to allow e p players a chance to play top rugby. Now they signing every Tom dick and Harry and more dicks!! Incredible

Eyewitness News reported on Thursday that the Kings have asked SARU for special dispensation to field more than the regulation two foreign players.

SARU confirmed that the regulation across all SANZAR countries - South Africa, New Zealand and Australia - are that only two foreigners per franchise are allowed.

However, there is a principle for special dispensation in Australia - where the Rebels were allowed 10 foreigners in their first season, to be reduced annually over five years, while the Western Force had their quota increased to three for 2013.

In South Africa the SANZAR executive committee - not the full council - will make this call and they will consider the "request" at their next meeting.

The Kings, who were promoted to Super Rugby for 2013, will hope to avoid finishing last in the SA conference - as the bottom team in the conference will face the relegated Lions in a promotion-relegation series at the end of the season.

The men from Port Elizabeth on Wednesday confirmed the signing of three high-profile South Africans - Andries Straus (Cheetahs), Steven Sykes (Sharks) and Demetri Catrakilis (Western Province).

Kings boss Cheeky Watson said they were in talks with a number of other high-quality players - including players in Argentina and Europe.

However, they required permission from SARU for additional players - as they already have Kiwi prop Clint Newland and Samoan wing Paul Perez on their books.

"It's not a definite," Watson told EWN.

"There are nine players [both foreign and South African] we are looking at.

"First choice is obviously a South African born and bred player, and we're going to reassess the situation as we go along."

Watson confirmed that their request has been forwarded to SARU.

"It's not a decision that they really have to make. It's a decision that has to be made as we go along, because we may just land up being in a position that we don't have to sign any foreign player. So it's a situation that one will know in the next two weeks.”

Lions lock Etienne Oosthuizen has signed a 2 year contract for the Brumbies

Jake White is VERY sharp!!

Welcome to real Currie Cup rugby. I am not against Eastern Province where Danie Gerber, Pote Human and Domkrag come's from, but the political Watson's het nou 'n bak pap wat hulle moet 'uitsort'

The Eastern Province Kings were given a huge reality check when the Free State Cheetahs smashed them 53-14 in the first of their two promotion-relegation matches in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The Cheetahs will play in the Currie Cup in 2014; the Eastern Province Kings will not. That much is obvious.
It would take a cataclysmic accident or a Lazarus-raising miracle to change that. In Port Elizabeth next week the Kings will have to win with a bonus point and score at least 40 points more than the Free State Cheetahs to get into the Currie Cup. They are not going to do so. And it it is writ bold upon the wall that this is not their last hiding.

The Kings lost by 39 points and in the end the score may well have flattered them. The Cheetahs were much too good at everything. They scrummed and line-outed better, they tackled better and contested the tackles better, they handled better and kicked better. But above all they did things so muck more quickly than the Kings of the lower division. Their reactions were much faster.

There was a little burst of about eight minutes when they scored two tries and got to within 15 points of the Cheetahs but it was a false spring. There was no summer to follow.

Good news


John Mitchell has been found not guilty of all complaints of misconduct levelled against him by the Golden Lions Rugby Union.

With his suspension formally lifted, Mitchell has been requested to return to work as Golden Lions head coach on Friday, according to his lawyer Brian Patterson, of Edwards Nathan Sonnenbergs.


“John is committed to remaining in South Africa and in continuing in his position as head coach of the GLRU. He’s looking forward to his return to the club tomorrow,” he said.

Don't think him and Josh Strauss saw eye to eye

Tough couple of years ahead for Mitchell, but he shows his commitment now and i suppose he is hoping to coach SA in the next few years

Lekker Leeus. Ja, warm up game and Cheetahs without their captain and Goosen, but remember half the Lions team is gone. Die laaitjies wil rugby speel.

Well done boys and faark politics

The Lions roar tonite...

gregbucks Wrote:

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> The Lions roar tonite...

They played flippin well Greg (tu)

I only saw the second half, but yes a good performance...

Bulls moet maar ligloop volgende week