The board of the Southern Kings has voluntarily withdrawn the team from participation in any planned domestic rugby competitions in 2020.
The players and staff were informed of the decision at 7.30am yesterday morning, following an urgent meeting of the board the afternoon before.
Chairman Andre Rademan explains: “Following several weeks of interrogation of the Kings’ financial state of affairs we were left with a straightforward choice.
“We could opt to field the Kings in the domestic competitions mooted by SA Rugby for the sport’s post-lockdown resumption if we so wished.
“If we did so, it would require additional loans to the Kings or extra investment from the shareholders to the tune of R6.5m, which would add to the organisation’s existing substantial debt.
“However, as there was no contractual requirement for the Kings to resume short-term participation in the PRO14 competition, because of air travel restrictions... the most prudent decision was to withdraw.”
Alan Baldwin | [email protected]