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Kings' financial worries continue

Cape Town - Unpaid player wages continue to mar the cash-strapped Eastern Province Rugby Union.

According to SA Rugbymag, the union is facing a deadline from the South African Rugby Players Association (SARPA) to make player payments by Tuesday.

After problems over payments arose again at the end of October, SARPA issued a written 10-day notice for the Kings to pay outstanding salaries or face action against them.

The cash-strapped union was unable to pay players for several months earlier in the season after a lucrative sponsorship deal failed to materialise.

The union’s president Cheeky Watson reportedly travelled abroad, where he was believed to be looking into delays over a long-touted new sponsorship.

These issues come in the wake of reports that Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has expressed an interest to ‘buy’ the Kings franchise and bail them out of their financial woes. However, a list of unfeasible demands are believed to be attached to the offer.

The men from Port Elizabeth had a torrid Currie Cup season, winning only two matches to finish second from bottom on the overall log.

They will also compete as the sixth South African team in an expanded Super Rugby season from next season.

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