Kings
Celtic Rugby and the South African Rugby Union have today confirmed that the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will join an expanded Guinness PRO14 tournament in time for the upcoming 2017/18 season.
A long-term strategic agreement has been signed by both parties which will allow the participation of two South African franchises in the renamed Guinness PRO14 Championship.
The agreement means that the Championship will take place across the northern and southern hemispheres and marks the first phase of expansion as the Guinness PRO14 becomes a truly global tournament.
This move will contribute to the drive for ever higher standards that we demand across the tournament and provide greater resources to our clubs who will compete in the most testing environment the Championship has ever created.
We can also reassure supporters across the Championship that all current home and away Derby games have been protected – these fixtures are sacrosanct to the tournament and those tribal rivalries are just one element of what makes the Guinness PRO14 so special.
With a new format, new teams and new audiences the Guinness PRO14 – which leads World Rugby statistics for Positive Play – will hit even greater heights in 2017/18.
It is understood a deal to expand the Pro12 to 14 teams from next season has been agreed.
The South African sides Toyota Cheetahs and Southern Kings will join the league after losing their Super Rugby status.
The 6-year deal is likely to benefit the league to the tune of an extra £6m per season from the South African Rugby Union and additional television income.
All elements of the deal have been agreed and, once legally ratified, could be formally announced next week.
The new Pro14 league will kick-off in the first week of September and will comprise 2 conferences of 7 teams. Each conference will have 1 Scottish side, 1 South African side, 1 Italian side and 2 each from Wales and Ireland.
Kings (12) 20 / 21 (3) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Toyota Cheeaths did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Bulls (10) 30 / 31 (22) Kings (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Cheetahs and the Kings will not play Super Rugby in 2018. SA Rugby confirmed the news on Friday, with the Cheetahs having agreed to a settlement.
Both the Kings and the Cheetahs agreed that they would be seeking other international opportunities, with a move to the Pro12 in Europe reportedly an option.
The Cheetahs had an agreement in place to play Super Rugby until 2020, but the board of the franchise decided on an amicable settlement with SA Rugby.
“The board of the Cheetahs has reviewed the team’s future and is extremely positive about the prospect of appearing in alternative international competitions,” Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster said.
“It will be an exciting challenge for our players, supporters and commercial partners and will be the start of a new chapter for rugby both in our region and in South Africa. Also, it will allow the Cheetahs to carve out a new and prominent place on the rugby map in South Africa as well as internationally.”
South African teams Cheetahs and Southern Kings are set to join the Pro12 as early as September 2017.
The two sides are expected to be cut by South African rugby union authorities from Super Rugby on Friday, 7 July as the southern hemisphere competition is reduced from 18 to 15 teams.
That will pave the way for them to join teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy in a 14-team league.
The new format is set to start for the 2017-18 season.
Celtic Rugby Limited – which governs the Pro12 – Cheetahs, Southern Kings and the South African Rugby Union have all been contacted by BBC Wales Sport but declined to comment.
Teams will play on a home and away basis but what has yet to be agreed is the format of the competition, whether it will be played as one 14-team league or more likely two conferences of seven.
There has been speculation the South African sides could play some of their home matches in the United Kingdom, with Saracens’ Allianz Arena mooted as a potential venue.
Jaguares (20) 30 / 31 (14) Kings (Final Score)
Los Jaguares and the Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, Argentina at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Kings (10) 10 / 19 (5) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT, Sunday 03:30 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (18) 35 / 32 (16) Sharks (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (11) 44 / 3 (3) Rebels (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT, Sunday 03:30 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Waratahs (17) 24 / 26 (7) Kings (Final Score)
The Waratahs and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia at 11:45 SA Time (19:45 AEST, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Reds (14) 47 / 34 (10) Kings (Final Score)
The Reds and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia at 07:05 SA Time (15:05 AEST, 05:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Force (15) 46 / 41 (7) Kings (Final Score)
The Western Force and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
nib Stadium, Perth, Australia at 08:05 SA Time (14:05 AWST, 06:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Kings (12) 19 / 42 (35) Lions (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Emirates Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sharks (8) 19 / 17 (14) Kings (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban, South Africa at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (3) 10 / 41 (17) Stormers (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (7) 23 / 37 (17) Kings (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Singapore National Stadium, Singapore at 12:55 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (12) 26 / 39 (19) Jaguares (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Jaguares did battle in Super Rugby 2017 at
Nelson mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (12:15 ARG Time, 15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Stormers (21) 52 / 24 (10) Kings (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Lions (17) 57 / 21 (7) Kings (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Kings (8) 18 / 48 (10) Highlanders (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Highlanders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 19:20 SA Time (17:20 GMT, Sunday 05:20 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (3) 29 / 22 (6) Jaguares (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Los Jaguares did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT, 14:00 ARG Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Sharks (43) 53 / 0 (0) Kings (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban at 17:10 SA Time (15:10 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (17) 34 / 20 (6) Kings (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Kings (10) 18 / 34 (19) Blues (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Blues did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 03:05 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Jaguares (40) 73 / 27 (15) Kings (Final Score)
The Jaguares and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires at 23:40 SA Time (21:40 GMT, 18:40 ARG Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Kings (5) 10 / 45 (21) Lions (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Emirates Lions did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (6) 6 / 38 (17) Bulls (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 19:15 SA Time (17:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (23) 33 / 28 (20) Sunwolves (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Sunwolves did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 00:05 Japan Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Hurricanes (19) 42 / 20 (17) Kings (Final Score)
The Hurricanes and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Crusaders (29) 57 / 24 (10) Kings (Final Score)
The Crusaders and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (17) 24 / 58 (27) Chiefs (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Chiefs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT, Sunday 02:05 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Eastern Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd, the professional arm of the EP Kings, have been provisionally liquidated.
However, EP Rugby said this will not impact on the EP Kings’ preparations for the Currie Cup competition, which is due to get underway with a qualifying tournament next month.
The liquidation hearing – brought by South African Rugby Players Association on behalf of 18 players and another 18 players through an independent lawyer against EP Rugby – was held at the Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday.
EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, through their legal counsel had initially opposed the liquidation order on 2 February and were provided the opportunity to file the necessary opposing documents.
A judgement was delivered in favour of SARPA and the other players for provisional liquidation to be implemented against EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd.
This means that the company will now be placed under provisional liquidation and a liquidator will be appointed shortly to oversee the process.
Kings (8) 8 / 43 (15) Sharks (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 15:05 SA Time (13:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Just how the revised Super Rugby format will go down with the South African rugby public is unclear, but we won’t have to wait long to find out.
The new-look tournament gets underway in less than a month, with the Blues and the Highlanders kicking things off in Auckland on Friday 26 February 2016.
From a South African perspective, the road ahead looks a tough one and if local bookmakers are to be believed there is no standout side from within these borders that looks set to challenge for the title.
Outside of the tournament changes, the majority of the South African franchises have also undergone major alterations with only 2wo sides – the Cell C Sharks and Emirates Lions – heading into 2016 with the same coaches that did the business in 2015.
The Southern Kings, obviously, were not a part of the 2015 competition but they also have a new man at the helm.
Here, we look at the 6 men tasked with bringing success to their respective franchises: