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Cheeky has big plans for Kings

Michael Green

Port Elizabeth – The Southern Kings may tour Argentina during the course of next year.

This is one of the plans that Cheeky Watson, the driving force behind the emerging South Eastern Cape franchise, has discussed with SA Rugby.

Watson said on Tuesday that just because the Kings were not named the 15th Super Rugby franchise, doesn't mean that everything must now be scrapped.

"There is still co-operation with SA Rugby to get the franchise on its feet. Besides the Argentinean tour, they are also looking at other possibilities. The Kings may play in the International Rugby Board's Nations Cup (in which the Emerging Springboks have taken part)."

Watson also said there have been dealings with various countries over the possibility of playing a few friendly matches.

"The goal is still to play Super Rugby in 2011, with the matches next year being used as preparation," said Watson.

Watson also said that he would like the president of Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRFU) - of which he currently occupies the role - like SA Rugby, to have a tenure of four years.

He is convinced, after being the head of EPRFU for just a year, that it will be better for the stability of the union.

"In the first year that you take over, you try to fix what is wrong and create new structures or improve on those that are already in existence," he said.

"But in your second year you must once again get everything ready for an election. It just makes sense to be in control of the union for four years, then you can accomplish so much more."

According to Watson, he wouldn't mind if the EPRFU holds its elections sooner, rather than later.

"But then it has to be decided from the start that the management that is elected will be elected for the next four years. This is not about me, but what is best for the union," said Watson.

Watson is relatively satisfied with what he and his management team have achieved in their first year.

"We were not always popular because we took a couple of tough decisions, but they were all in favour of the union," he said.

"With regard to the rugby itself, we have succeeded in establishing a complete representative team and I believe that it can only get better as we go forward."
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