adminCAPE TOWN-Sport24 readers are strongly opposed to the idea of a merger between the Kings and Lions after reports of talks between the teams.
The two teams are set to square off in two Super Rugby promotion-relegation matches after the Kings were confirmed as the lowest-ranked South African team in this year’s competition.
The matches are set to take place on 26 July and 2 August. Yet, despite vehement denials of any such negotiations from Kings Director of Rugby Alan Solomons and CEO Cheeky Watson, rumours of a possible amalgamation of the teams are rife.
According to reports, the Kings and the Lions were still locked in negotiations about a possible merger in Super Rugby next season.
Lions and Kings’ fans on Sport24 however, would rather risk the threat of relegation than entertain any notions of a possible amalgamation.
Some Lions and Kings fans even suggested they would refuse to support a merger of the two teams, should it occur. Despite their respective bosses denying it, the Kings and the Lions appear to be locked in negotiations about a possible merger into one team in Super Rugby next season.
According to a report in yesterday’s Cape Argus, rugby administrators from Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg are considering joining forces and forming a team called the “Lion Kings” for next year’s tournament.
Lions president Kevin de Klerk and Kings boss Cheeky Watson have both publicly denied talk of combining, but sources with insight into the talks confirmed to the Cape Argus that both parties are exploring all avenues to avoid the prospect of relegation.
Furthermore, Kings coach Alan Solomons is believed to be packing his bags for a post in Europe and, if an agreement is reached, Lions coach Johan Ackermann is the leading candidate to guide the Lion Kings.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders say they are treating today’s clash against the table-topping Chiefs as a “semi-final”, as they look to secure a berth in the Super Rugby playoffs. Going into the penultimate week of the round-robin series, the Crusaders are among eight teams battling for the remaining three places in the top six. Only the Chiefs, Bulls and Brumbies are assured of qualifying while the Crusaders, Reds and Cheetahs are best placed to grab the remaining places.
The Waratahs, Blues, Sharks, Stormers and Hurricanes are mathematical possibilities but are reliant on other results.
The Crusaders, currently in fifth place, need to beat the Chiefs, then defeat the Hurricanes in the final round next week to secure fourth place and a crucial home playoff. Both the Crusaders and Chiefs welcome back several All Blacks who were rested last week after the Test series against France – with Kieran Read, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks and Luke Romano starting for the Crusaders and the Chiefs regaining Sam Cane.-Sport24.
Online Reporter