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Cape Town - Despite their financial woes, the Kings are confident that they will be able to field a competitive team in next year’s Super Rugby competition.
The Kings will make their debut in Super Rugby next year and one can be forgiven for thinking they will struggle in the southern hemisphere’s premier provincial competition.
But the EP Rugby Union issued a press release on Thursday calming fears over the Kings’ competitiveness next season.
“There are a number of concerns relating to whether the Kings, with just over three months to go before the first Super Rugby fixture, will be in a position to compete competitively based on the current circumstances.
“EP Rugby has been preparing for our re-entry into the Super Rugby arena since 2014. We have been engaging with SA Rugby and other stakeholders on an on-going basis throughout our current financial situation, and are confident that, no matter the outcome of the next few weeks, we will be in a position to field a competitive team in next year’s competition.
“We will continue to keep the media updated of all significant developments going forward.”
Already two key players have confirmed their departure from the union - centre Tim Whitehead and prop Lizo Gqoboka - as the union's dire financial woes continued.
The Kings have what can only be described as a horror introduction to Super Rugby having been included in the considerably tougher of the two South African Conference.
The Kings have been grouped with the Lions and Sharks, as well as newbies Argentina. In addition, that group will face the New Zealand Conference rather than the Australian one.
The Kings are scheduled to host the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, February 27 in their opening Super Rugby fixture.
