It will be one of rugby’s “greatest escape acts” if injury-plagued Luke Watson survives the bitter Saru takeover and culling of players to lead a Southern Kings squad back into Super Rugby next year.
There is talk that Watson is among the chosen group of players short-listed for prized contracts, and has even been ear-marked as captain.
It is also expected that if a Saru contract is offered to Watson it will be for a significantly lower wage than he is currently earning.
Saru are expected to release the names of the new-look Southern Kings squad tomorrow and surprises are expected in the eagerly awaited list.
It has been decided that of the planned 42-player squad, half are expected to come from the existing EP Kings squad.
There is speculation that the players who have been offered contracts are: Schalk Ferreira (prop), Tom Botha (prop), Edgar Marutlulle (hooker), Steven Sykes (lock), Cornell Hess (lock), Stefan Willemse (flank), Thembelani Bholi (flank), CJ Velleman (flank), Luke Watson (flank), Aidon Davis (No 8), Kevin Luiters (scrumhalf), Elgar Watts (flyhalf), Louis Fouche (flyhalf), Shane Gates (centre), Stefan Watermeyer (centre), JP du Plessis (centre), Siyanda Grey (wing).
Saru are reportedly also ready to also offer Super Rugby contracts to three of the EP’s best U19 players – James Hall (scrumhalf), Jeremy Ward (centre and captain), Junior Pokomela (No 8).
SA Rugby said: “The squad we have identified will have around 50% black players while the management team is more than 50% black. Our rugby department has picked the best available talent.”
The rumour mill has been working overtime regarding the composition of the squad and one senior player said: “There were so many stories doing the rounds that everything had become confusing.”
Repeated questions to Saru’s media office in Cape Town about whether Watson would lead the team coached by Deon Davids have been conveniently sidestepped by officials.
It might be that Saru want to move in a new direction and if that is the case there may not be room for Watson, who has battled a succession of injuries in recent times.
EP president Cheeky Watson, who appears to have been sidelined regarding Southern Kings matters after the Saru takeover, has never had any doubt that Luke is the man to lead the Kings.
In an interview earlier this year, Cheeky said it was a difficult question to answer, but he did feel his son Luke was the right man to lead the Kings back into Super Rugby.
“It is a difficult question to answer because it is a father talking about a son,” he said.
“But I need to say ... you need six or seven players who are a little bit more senior ... to fill that gap if Luke is not there.
“I do think that when Luke is on the field he has a tremendous impact on the team. In the games that he has played so far he has had a wonderful contribution and somehow sets the team alight.
“Luke has been there, done that. He did it at the age of 19 at the Sharks and was the youngest Super Rugby player ever. So Luke has that experience and value to add. So absolutely yes, he is the right man to lead the Kings back into Super Rugby.”
It now remains to be seen whether Saru see things the same way.
The man who coached the EP U19 side to victory in the Absa Provincial Championship , Mzwandile Stick, and one of his assistants, Barend Pieterse, have already been named in the new Southern Kings coaching structure.
Apart from some of the EP junior players, former Kings players like Tim Agaba and Siviwe “Shakes” Soyizwapi could find themselves back in the mix for Super.
Last month Agaba and Soyizwapi became the latest sevens recruits when they agreed to terms with Saru to play the shortened version of the game for the next two years.
When SA Rugby took control of the Kings last month, they said they would be looking at fringe players from other unions being loaned to the Kings.
Depending on their sevens duties, there might be times during the season when Saru will be able to loan Agaba and Soyizwapi to the Kings.
Cheeky still sure Luke should captain new-look Kings squad
There is talk that Watson is among the chosen group of players short-listed for prized contracts, and has even been ear-marked as captain.
It is also expected that if a Saru contract is offered to Watson it will be for a significantly lower wage than he is currently earning.
Saru are expected to release the names of the new-look Southern Kings squad tomorrow and surprises are expected in the eagerly awaited list.
It has been decided that of the planned 42-player squad, half are expected to come from the existing EP Kings squad.
There is speculation that the players who have been offered contracts are: Schalk Ferreira (prop), Tom Botha (prop), Edgar Marutlulle (hooker), Steven Sykes (lock), Cornell Hess (lock), Stefan Willemse (flank), Thembelani Bholi (flank), CJ Velleman (flank), Luke Watson (flank), Aidon Davis (No 8), Kevin Luiters (scrumhalf), Elgar Watts (flyhalf), Louis Fouche (flyhalf), Shane Gates (centre), Stefan Watermeyer (centre), JP du Plessis (centre), Siyanda Grey (wing).
Saru are reportedly also ready to also offer Super Rugby contracts to three of the EP’s best U19 players – James Hall (scrumhalf), Jeremy Ward (centre and captain), Junior Pokomela (No 8).
SA Rugby said: “The squad we have identified will have around 50% black players while the management team is more than 50% black. Our rugby department has picked the best available talent.”
The rumour mill has been working overtime regarding the composition of the squad and one senior player said: “There were so many stories doing the rounds that everything had become confusing.”
Repeated questions to Saru’s media office in Cape Town about whether Watson would lead the team coached by Deon Davids have been conveniently sidestepped by officials.
It might be that Saru want to move in a new direction and if that is the case there may not be room for Watson, who has battled a succession of injuries in recent times.
EP president Cheeky Watson, who appears to have been sidelined regarding Southern Kings matters after the Saru takeover, has never had any doubt that Luke is the man to lead the Kings.
In an interview earlier this year, Cheeky said it was a difficult question to answer, but he did feel his son Luke was the right man to lead the Kings back into Super Rugby.
“It is a difficult question to answer because it is a father talking about a son,” he said.
“But I need to say ... you need six or seven players who are a little bit more senior ... to fill that gap if Luke is not there.
“I do think that when Luke is on the field he has a tremendous impact on the team. In the games that he has played so far he has had a wonderful contribution and somehow sets the team alight.
“Luke has been there, done that. He did it at the age of 19 at the Sharks and was the youngest Super Rugby player ever. So Luke has that experience and value to add. So absolutely yes, he is the right man to lead the Kings back into Super Rugby.”
It now remains to be seen whether Saru see things the same way.
The man who coached the EP U19 side to victory in the Absa Provincial Championship , Mzwandile Stick, and one of his assistants, Barend Pieterse, have already been named in the new Southern Kings coaching structure.
Apart from some of the EP junior players, former Kings players like Tim Agaba and Siviwe “Shakes” Soyizwapi could find themselves back in the mix for Super.
Last month Agaba and Soyizwapi became the latest sevens recruits when they agreed to terms with Saru to play the shortened version of the game for the next two years.
When SA Rugby took control of the Kings last month, they said they would be looking at fringe players from other unions being loaned to the Kings.
Depending on their sevens duties, there might be times during the season when Saru will be able to loan Agaba and Soyizwapi to the Kings.
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