The Southern Kings are looking “far and wide” for players to make them competitive when they debut in Super Rugby next year.
The latest reported players to apparently have signed for 2013 includes centre Andries Strauss from the Cheetahs and lock Steven Sykes from the Sharks.
rugby365
Kings President Cheeky Watson told this website in an interview that they are planning a “formal announcement” for next Wednesday, when they will reveal the first batch of signings.
However, he declined to comment on specific players – despite ongoing rumours linking high-profile players like Andries Strauss (Cheetahs), Steven Sykes (Sharks) and Dimitri Catrikilis (Western Province) to the Kings.
“I can’t comment,” Watson told this website, when asked about reports that Strauss has already signed with the Kings.
“We have franchise partners we have to speak to,” he added.
However, he admitted that there is a lot of recruiting going on, both domestically and internationally.
“We are looking far and wide,” Watson said, when asked if that recruiting includes Argentina.
“We are also looking for tall locks in Japan,” the Kings boss quipped.
However, on a more serious note, he admitted that the recruitment drive is in full swing, but there will be no confirmation of any names before next Wednesday.
“There are lots of rumours around,” Watson said, adding: “Like the rumours that we were in Super Rugby, out Super Rugby, on the sideline of Super Rugby, playing in the Heineken Cup … you know what these rumours are like.”
Strauss on Thursday became the latest player linked to the Kings. Most reports have it as fact that he has signed to move to Port Elizabeth in 2013.
This website has it on good authority that Sykes have also signed on the dotted line and that his contract is already in PE.
WP are determined to hold onto Catrikilis, but this website believes they will be unable to match the Kings’ offer and he will join the influx of high-profile players signing with the Kings.
There are rumours of players from Argentine and New Zealand being lined up as well.
September 13th, 2012 at 20:08 SAST
Not bad signings, specially Sykes…
Wonder which New Zealand, Argentinian and European players are interested or have signed.
September 13th, 2012 at 20:49 SAST
laat ons maar eerlik wees strauss het nie die wereld aan die brand gespeel die laaste twee jaar nie,ek wonder of die cheetahs hom sou hou…veral as jy in ag neem dat sadie soontoe gaan as ook geel se goeie spelpeil
September 14th, 2012 at 08:30 SAST
2 @ Smallies,
Sê ek ook, en Phillip Snyman speel ook kookwater rugby, so dis nie ‘n groot verlies nie. Strauss is volgende jaar 29, Geel 31, so tyd om nuwe bloed in te kry. Rhule is ook eintlik geskool as ‘n senter, so daar is baie opsies vir die Cheetahs
September 14th, 2012 at 08:41 SAST
I thought Cheeky’s formula was to sign overseas based players. Oh well…….
September 14th, 2012 at 09:31 SAST
The Kings are buying old journeymen.
September 14th, 2012 at 09:39 SAST
Go Kings!!
September 14th, 2012 at 09:59 SAST
shouldnt we leave all this k*k articles and
run one
on
“what to do tomorrow when the rugby’s on”????
..
morning everyone
and
goooooooooo bokke!!!
September 14th, 2012 at 10:02 SAST
7 @ Ashley:
Great long day of rugby tomorrow…. 2 Tests first up, then the 3 Currie Cup games.
Should be good, whichever way you look at it.
September 14th, 2012 at 10:07 SAST
gbs @ 8
ok
then maybe we should just run an article on
“what to do when that first test’s up?”
September 14th, 2012 at 10:07 SAST
What happened to the “development” of players from previously disadvantaged communities? Will the Kings field a lilly white team in their first SR fixture. How many players from all 3 franchise partners will actually make the team? All the more reason to hope that when they play their first game they will be smashed by 100+ points.
September 14th, 2012 at 10:18 SAST
9 @ Ashley:
No, we’ll all watch like the true supporters that we are… negative and postive ones, included.
September 14th, 2012 at 10:32 SAST
gbs @ 11
did you just ORDER me to bloody make sure that i watch it?
September 14th, 2012 at 10:33 SAST
12 @ Ashley:
Yip…. hehehehe
September 14th, 2012 at 10:37 SAST
jawohl, herr general
September 14th, 2012 at 10:43 SAST
14 @ Ashley:
Jinne, moeilike picks op Bru vir die naweek….
Dis moontlik maar nie waarskynlik nie dat die Pumas wen teen die Aussies, Grikwas / Blou Bulle game kan enige kant toe gaan, Cheetahs / Lions game kan enige kant toe gaan….. en Sharks BEHOORT te wen teen die WP in Durban, maar selfs dit kan enige kant toe neuk.
Ek dink die enigste seker keuse vir die naweek is dat die All Blacks gaan wen… maar met hoeveel?
September 14th, 2012 at 10:44 SAST
10 @ Lion4ever: this has always been my question.
Look at the Sharks, they poach players left right & center and still can’t win anything.
Now they have established an academy and things are going better for them.
September 14th, 2012 at 10:46 SAST
gbs @ 15
sien meeste ouens voorspel 15+ (all blacks, bokke)
my superbru gaan heel waarskynlik weer afk*k die week want ek gaan mos weer na my hart luister!!!
September 14th, 2012 at 10:53 SAST
@ Ashley:
I have some gardening to do, doubt that I will watch the Boks game.
September 14th, 2012 at 10:58 SAST
loosehead @ 18
you’re gonna miss out
September 14th, 2012 at 11:10 SAST
18 @ Loosehead:
Couple of things I don’t do… I don’t garden (I have garden Services and the extra bit to finish up where they do half work I have put Handbriekie in charge to hire the necessary help), I also don’t wash my car… I gladly pay someone to do it.
The thing is, I do a lot of other handyman stuff on and around the house…. so really, I do my bit.
We have to stick to our Springboks by thick and thin!
September 14th, 2012 at 11:11 SAST
OK, clients to see… the tills have to keep rolling!
Chat later
September 14th, 2012 at 11:25 SAST
Very tough day for the picks, only hope the Puma’s beat Aus. Would be great to see, and they deserve to, after they have played the first 3 matches of this tournament. With Australia in the position they are in, the Puma’s will never get a better chance.
Other than that, apart from knowing that the AB’s ‘should’ win, the rest of the picks very tough.
This comes from the end of sportbilly’s column this morning. “In short you know the All Blacks are fucking with you when they bring Piri Weepu into the starting lineup”.
Lets hope that comes back to bite them. Go Bokke
September 14th, 2012 at 13:18 SAST
well,
just made my pics
..
went with my heart (of course)
September 14th, 2012 at 13:39 SAST
@ Ashley:
Shame Ashley. One has to decide if you want to do well in Superbru or not.If you want to do well, use your head. If you want to use your heart, expect heartache on your Superbru log after the rugby.
September 14th, 2012 at 14:08 SAST
20 @ grootblousmile:I also have a garden service, and I don’t wash my own car either, but I really don’t think that I can go through another 90mins of shit like last week.
GO BOKKE!
September 14th, 2012 at 14:36 SAST
lions @ 24
upside is i’m sh*t at predicting scores anyway, so one way or another, i usually find myself somewhere near the bottom of the logs anyway!!
September 14th, 2012 at 15:06 SAST
@ Ashley:
I have had mixed results over the years.
September 14th, 2012 at 15:38 SAST
lions @ 27
my mixed results would normally be 1 excellent week followed by 3 or 4 shitty ones!!
September 14th, 2012 at 16:12 SAST
28 @ Ashley:
Hierdie jaar issie goed vir my Bru nie…. damn, veral hierdie Currie Cup.
Raai-raai riepa se moer…. dit sou meer voorspelbaar gewees het!
Ek dink ek moet DOELBEWUS teen die Bokke en teen die Bulle beginne kies, dan mag ek dalk net sorg dat die Bokke wen en die Blou Bulle weer mooi innie race kom vir die Kerriebeker!
Ek is heilig oortuig die spanne kyk my Bru so met aandag en besluit dan om verder met my kop te smokkel!
Die Bokke se swak vorm is ALLES my skuld… ALLES!
Ek wietie meerie!
September 14th, 2012 at 16:20 SAST
Dit reen innie Panne… want ek het mos my kar laat was…. hehehehe
September 14th, 2012 at 17:14 SAST
29 @ grootblousmile:…at last, someone takes the blame, hehehe
September 14th, 2012 at 17:16 SAST
Leopards U21 vs Lions U21 on at the moment, Lions lads playing some lovely rugby. 14/0 Lions after 8 minutes
September 14th, 2012 at 17:16 SAST
30 @ grootblousmile:About time you had the rain, we’re sick of it!!!!
September 14th, 2012 at 17:32 SAST
Hahaha, a great flash back to the WC from Cobus Visagie – Krynauw Otto at the 1999 RWC press conf: every time I wear the Springbok jersey I get chickenpox all over.
September 14th, 2012 at 17:35 SAST
Another from Cobus – Pienaar on wearing the Springbok jumper for the first time in his first speech: “every time I put on the jersey I get a knob in my throat”
September 14th, 2012 at 18:21 SAST
31 @ Just For Kicks:
Hahahaha
Jeez, my Bru’s been pathetic!
33 @ Just For Kicks:
We had rain here in bucket loads last week Wednesday & Thursday (I think)… my Office flat roof again leaking like a sieve, since then BonzaiGBS and myself were up on the roof, re-sealed EVERYTHING on Sunday with 10L of special Rubberised Sealer… should last the season now again.
September 14th, 2012 at 18:22 SAST
35 @ Just For Kicks:
Where do you see these quotes from?
September 14th, 2012 at 18:23 SAST
Tonight Handbriekie returns from Slaapstad, in the air as we speak…. have to pick her up at OR Tambo at 20:15
September 14th, 2012 at 18:26 SAST
Leopards fighting back manfully in the U21 game against the Golden Lions.
With 20 minutes left on the clock the score is Golden Lions 33 / 27 Leopards
September 14th, 2012 at 18:27 SAST
Another Leopards try, under the sticks!
Leopards 34 / 33 Golden Lions
September 14th, 2012 at 18:47 SAST
Leopards U/21 37 / 36 Gloden Lions U/21
5 Minutes to play
September 14th, 2012 at 18:53 SAST
Leopards U/21 win
Leopards 37 / 36 Golden Lions
September 14th, 2012 at 21:36 SAST
@ grootblousmile:Shame I missed the rest of the match, sounds like it was very exciting. But pizza’s take preference – according to my wife, anyway!