Introducing The Southern Kings

As expected, the new South Africa franchise will be officially known as the Southern Kings.

I don’t know the history behind why they’re called this but anyway. I guess there is soemthing ‘ethnic’ behind the reasoning. I personally think they should have gone for a local tribal name or word to describe the team. Southern Kings sounds very ‘English’

The Eastern Cape franchise will launch with a game against the British & Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth on 16 June. Talk about a tough first up encounter!

The Kings squad will be named at a later date, but is set to include a host of Vodacom Cup players as well as players originally hailing from the region. I think they’re onto a hiding second to none.

Former Bulls mentor Heyneke Meyer has been linked to the job.

WP and the Stormers have confirmed Rassie Erasmus, who was being touted as a possible couch, will see out his contract with the Cape union which expires at the end of 2010.