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Cape Town - The Kings' struggle to stay in Super Rugby could make Eastern Province's passage into the Curie Cup Premier Division a bit harder.
Despite the Kings surprising friend and foe in Super Rugby this year, they remain favourites to finish last in the South African Conference.
The last placed South African Super Rugby team will face the Lions in a two-legged promotion-relegation tie, on July 26 and August 3.
The Kings are currently last in the SA Conference, nine points behind the Sharks, so staying at the bottom remains likely.
And that's where the problem lies for the EP Kings, who are still languishing in the Currie Cup First Division, after failing to win their promotion-relegation tie against Free State last year.
The Currie Cup First Division overlaps with Super Rugby, which means EP will be forced to start the season without their Super Rugby players. Their first game is at home against the Pumas on June 28.
The Kings play their last Super Rugby game on July 13, and should they face the Lions in the promotion/relegation playoffs, the players could only be available for Currie Cup duty on August 10.
By that time EP would have played six games, which would obviously have a negative impact on the team's hopes of defending their First Division crown, and earning the right to fight for a spot in the Currie Cup top flight.
Despite the Kings surprising friend and foe in Super Rugby this year, they remain favourites to finish last in the South African Conference.
The last placed South African Super Rugby team will face the Lions in a two-legged promotion-relegation tie, on July 26 and August 3.
The Kings are currently last in the SA Conference, nine points behind the Sharks, so staying at the bottom remains likely.
And that's where the problem lies for the EP Kings, who are still languishing in the Currie Cup First Division, after failing to win their promotion-relegation tie against Free State last year.
The Currie Cup First Division overlaps with Super Rugby, which means EP will be forced to start the season without their Super Rugby players. Their first game is at home against the Pumas on June 28.
The Kings play their last Super Rugby game on July 13, and should they face the Lions in the promotion/relegation playoffs, the players could only be available for Currie Cup duty on August 10.
By that time EP would have played six games, which would obviously have a negative impact on the team's hopes of defending their First Division crown, and earning the right to fight for a spot in the Currie Cup top flight.
