Outspoken Eastern Province Rugby president Cheeky Watson has been ousted as the head of the Eastern Cape rugby franchise who are hoping to be named as the 15th Super Rugby team.
Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag reported that Watson had been replaced as head of the newly formed Southern Kings by the Director of Sport in the Eastern Cape, Bafundi Makubalo.
The decision was taken this week at a meeting of the franchise where shareholders in the proposed franchise decided that the government needed to be more involved to implement structures to help the franchise.
The so-called Kings are hoping to be named as the 15th Super rugby franchise and will launch on June 16 before the match against the British and Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth.
Makubalo confirmed that Watson had been replaced as chairman of the task team for the franchise. “Yes, I am going to be the chairman of the team, but rugby people will still have a big say in the way that things are run,” he told Sondag.
“We need to be involved to ensure that all the role players dont bump heads.”
Makubalo denied that the move was after claims that Watson ran the franchise as “a dictator”. “The franchise isnt about personalities, but rather about working together with the unions involved.”
Watson was surprised when Sondag approached him for comment and didnt know he had been replaced. “Its the first I have heard about it, but if Makubalo is the new head, then it is fine by me.”
Meanwhile the newspaper also reported that SWD Eagles president Stag Cronje was nominated to head the team, but is still waiting for confirmation from his union.
“I am surprised that they have appointed someone, but I have to wait for our AGM before I can comment further,” Cronje said.
Sapa Super14.com
