Southern Kings set for Currie Cup Rugby

The Southern Kings could start playing regular Currie Cup rugby as soon as this year if South African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins gets his way.

The team would not be granted automatic inclusion in the premier division and they would not necessarily be called the Kings according to Hoskins.

Hoskins met Currie Cup sponsors earlier this week to discuss the possibility of including the Kings in the Currie Cup and the sponsors are said to have bought into the idea.

Everyone seems to agree that the Southern and Eastern Cape region need to be more involved in rugby but wherever they turn they have come up against obstacles.

Hoskins is said to have put the development of the Southern and Eastern Cape region and transformation to the top of his agenda in his new term as president.

Hoskins said he would meet the three Kings member unions – Eastern Province, Border and South Western Districts – in the next few weeks to discuss the details of the team and how it would function.

“I think the Kings should be assisted to play top-level Currie Cup  rugby as soon as possible,” Hoskins told Business Day.

“I chatted to the sponsors and they agreed that we should take it forward.”

Asked how he envisaged the team participating in the tournament and whether they would play in the premier division, he said: “The team needs to be anchored around one of the provinces, so they may not be called the Kings just yet.

“We need the buy-in from the provinces to allow their top players to play in the team.”

“The team will also not automatically play in the premier division, they have to win to get there.”

“But I will sit down with the provinces to get their input and figure out the best way to go about this process before we make any decisions.”

“The important thing is that we keep them united.”