The punch-drunk EP Kings have suffered another body blow – ambitious Currie Cup head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has quit the troubled union.Janse van Rensburg’s resignation comes just two weeks after EP Rugby president Cheeky Watson said he would be leading the Southern Kings back into Super Rugby next year.
In recent weeks the chaos within EP Rugby has escalated, and Janse van Rensburg’s resignation is yet another setback for the cash-strapped union, whose players and coaching staff are still awaiting payment.
Well-placed sources said Janse van Rensburg was moving to Boland, and that an announcement on this was expected next week.
Former Queen’s College coach Janse van Rensburg’s resignation comes in the wake of scrumhalf Kevin Luiters describing the Kings as the “laughing stock of South African rugby”, following the ongoing cash crisis.
“This was certainly a very difficult decision to make on many fronts,” said Janse van Rensburg.
“I am incredibly thankful to the Kings for seeing potential in me, providing me with the opportunity to contribute to this amazing region, and supporting me through the process.
“I am also very appreciative of the efforts made by our management team, and the players for their incredible spirit and work ethic.
“I sincerely hope that things come together quickly for the Kings, and only wish all parties involved everything of the best for the future. There is a lot of good here, and we must not lose sight of that.
“Hopefully I can return one day.”
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) have said their “mobi unit”, which includes Saru’s high performance manager, Rassie Erasmus, would play a major role in preparing the Kings for Super Rugby.
Also expected to be part of the unit are Pieter de Villiers (scrum coach), Louis Loen (kicking coach), Chean Roux (technical staff) and Jacques Nienaber (defence). South African U20 coach Dawie Theron has been tipped as a possible head coach for the Kings.
The Kings start their Super Rugby campaign with a match against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 27.
EP Rugby president Cheeky Watson thanked Janse van Rensburg for his contribution to the EP Kings during his time with the union.
“We appreciate Brent’s commitment to the task assigned to him and the many hours he worked in preparing the team for various competitions this year,” said Watson. “We convey our best wishes to him and his family for the future.”
Despite Janse van Rensburg’s move, EP officials remain confident that a Southern Kings management team will soon be put in place to continue the preparations for Super Rugby.
“We are in regular discussion with the SA Rugby Union, who have taken over the organisation of the franchise, on the way forward, and there is much work being done behind the scenes to ensure the Southern Kings squad is properly prepared for its return to Super Rugby in February,” said Watson.
“We would like to thank the contracted players for their commitment to the Southern Kings’ cause.”
Despite taking control of the Southern Kings two weeks ago, Saru have yet to release a master plan on how they intend to breathe new life into the Southern Kings ahead of Super Rugby next year.
It had been expected Saru would announce the new management and coaching team yesterday, but all officials would say was that “a lot hard work is going on”.
Questions are now being raised as to whether the nine new signings the Kings made last month will stay at the troubled union after November’s salaries were not paid.
The new recruits who have joined the Kings are: SP Marais (Sharks, fullback), James Hilterbrand (Edinburgh, hooker), Jurgen Visser (Blue Bulls, fullback-wing), Stefan Watermeyer (Pumas, centre), JC Roos (Pumas, flyhalf), Caylib Oosthuizen (Cheetahs, prop), Mark Richards (Lions, wing-fullback-scrumhalf), Louis Fouche (Blue Bulls, flyhalf) and Carel Greeff (Cheetahs, loose-forward).
The SA Rugby Players’ Association (Sarpa) said they were aware of the non-payment of wages and were waiting for clarification on the way forward.
“At the moment we will have to ascertain what Saru’s plans are with regards to contracts because they are taking control. As soon as we have feedback on that we will be able to comment,” Sarpa spokesman Nyaniso Sam said.
Blow as Kings coach quits
Janse van Rensburg’s resignation comes just two weeks after EP Rugby president Cheeky Watson said he would be leading the Southern Kings back into Super Rugby next year.
In recent weeks the chaos within EP Rugby has escalated, and Janse van Rensburg’s resignation is yet another setback for the cash-strapped union, whose players and coaching staff are still awaiting payment.
Well-placed sources said Janse van Rensburg was moving to Boland, and that an announcement on this was expected next week.
Former Queen’s College coach Janse van Rensburg’s resignation comes in the wake of scrumhalf Kevin Luiters describing the Kings as the “laughing stock of South African rugby”, following the ongoing cash crisis.
“This was certainly a very difficult decision to make on many fronts,” said Janse van Rensburg.
“I am incredibly thankful to the Kings for seeing potential in me, providing me with the opportunity to contribute to this amazing region, and supporting me through the process.
“I am also very appreciative of the efforts made by our management team, and the players for their incredible spirit and work ethic.
“I sincerely hope that things come together quickly for the Kings, and only wish all parties involved everything of the best for the future. There is a lot of good here, and we must not lose sight of that.
“Hopefully I can return one day.”
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) have said their “mobi unit”, which includes Saru’s high performance manager, Rassie Erasmus, would play a major role in preparing the Kings for Super Rugby.
Also expected to be part of the unit are Pieter de Villiers (scrum coach), Louis Loen (kicking coach), Chean Roux (technical staff) and Jacques Nienaber (defence). South African U20 coach Dawie Theron has been tipped as a possible head coach for the Kings.
The Kings start their Super Rugby campaign with a match against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 27.
EP Rugby president Cheeky Watson thanked Janse van Rensburg for his contribution to the EP Kings during his time with the union.
“We appreciate Brent’s commitment to the task assigned to him and the many hours he worked in preparing the team for various competitions this year,” said Watson. “We convey our best wishes to him and his family for the future.”
Despite Janse van Rensburg’s move, EP officials remain confident that a Southern Kings management team will soon be put in place to continue the preparations for Super Rugby.
“We are in regular discussion with the SA Rugby Union, who have taken over the organisation of the franchise, on the way forward, and there is much work being done behind the scenes to ensure the Southern Kings squad is properly prepared for its return to Super Rugby in February,” said Watson.
“We would like to thank the contracted players for their commitment to the Southern Kings’ cause.”
Despite taking control of the Southern Kings two weeks ago, Saru have yet to release a master plan on how they intend to breathe new life into the Southern Kings ahead of Super Rugby next year.
It had been expected Saru would announce the new management and coaching team yesterday, but all officials would say was that “a lot hard work is going on”.
Questions are now being raised as to whether the nine new signings the Kings made last month will stay at the troubled union after November’s salaries were not paid.
The new recruits who have joined the Kings are: SP Marais (Sharks, fullback), James Hilterbrand (Edinburgh, hooker), Jurgen Visser (Blue Bulls, fullback-wing), Stefan Watermeyer (Pumas, centre), JC Roos (Pumas, flyhalf), Caylib Oosthuizen (Cheetahs, prop), Mark Richards (Lions, wing-fullback-scrumhalf), Louis Fouche (Blue Bulls, flyhalf) and Carel Greeff (Cheetahs, loose-forward).
The SA Rugby Players’ Association (Sarpa) said they were aware of the non-payment of wages and were waiting for clarification on the way forward.
“At the moment we will have to ascertain what Saru’s plans are with regards to contracts because they are taking control. As soon as we have feedback on that we will be able to comment,” Sarpa spokesman Nyaniso Sam said.
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