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What to do with the Southern Kings

By Liam Heagney
Masixole Banda

It was a terribly long way for Southern Kings to come for a terrible Saturday night beating. There they were in Edinburgh, 6,500 miles from home in Port Elizabeth when they self-sabotaged their hopes of scalping a fifth PRO14 win in 50 attempts since admission to the five-nation, cross-hemisphere tournament in 2017. 

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Bad enough having starting tighthead Pieter Scholtz red-carded for a reckless forearm smash to John Barclay’s head after just 13 minutes. Forty-one minutes later, they were reduced to 13 players when an injury to replacement tighthead De-Jay Terblanche led to uncontested scrums and the forfeit of another man. 

This malaise was then further compounded limping down the finishing straight, a yellow card for Aston Fortuin reducing them to just a dozen players. They leaked like a sieve, four tries in ten minutes after the penalty try sin-binning. It left them hammered 61-13 and facing a grim trek back to South Africa after a forgettable one-game trip five weeks after they had last come flown north for another fruitless one-game trip.

It’s an arduous business trying to eradicated bad habits long associated with the still-fledgeling franchise. Just eleven wins were registered in 48 Super Rugby outings before exclusion from that southern hemisphere competition, a 22.9 per cent win rate that has now fallen to a meagre eight per cent during three seasons mixing it with the Scots, the Irish, the Welsh and the Italians. 

You won’t find interim boss Robbi Kempson getting too down with the gloomy situation, though. The former Springboks prop has fought his own demons over the years, coming through the other side after a lengthy battle with his mental health.

(Continue reading below…)

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That trauma is ironically proving a useful experience in his current gig. Kings look condemned for another campaign ending with them once more propping up their PRO14 conference. But under Kempson’s baton, they are taking background steps not usually associated with South African rugby – the use of psychologists in the hope a better state of mind can help eradicate their culture of losing.  

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“It’s very difficult to change that mindset,” he told RugbyPass, reflecting on a season where the sole highlight was winning at Ospreys, the bottom team in league’s other conference. “The only real way you can do it is by changing the culture and unfortunately a number of our older players have had difficulty changing their mindset as to what we want to achieve.

“Their mindsets towards the competition, the structure of the competition and how difficult it is, and also the conditions we are playing in. We are a South African side based in South Africa playing in a European competition. It’s actually easier with the younger players because they haven’t been in that situation (of always losing). Getting that first away win against the Ospreys was vital for us as regards to what we are trying to achieve.

“We have done a lot with a variety of psychologists in South Africa which is not really a done thing from a culture perspective. We had numerous people come in, Olympic swimmer Dr Kirsten van Heerden was probably the best of them. 

“They came in and chatted about the processes you need to follow to get that winning culture and winning mindset. We have a covered those bases and done it a subtly different way to what most South African sides would be used to.”

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Becoming successful matters a great deal. Kempson honed his reputation as a no-nonsense late 1990s front row in Nick Mallett’s Springboks and then at Alan Solomons’ Ulster, but achieving something tangible from the sidelines with the Kings is dear to the 45-year-old’s heart. 

Robbi Kempson celebrates
Robbi Kempson (left) celebrates with Craig Davidson following South Africa’s 2003 Tri-Nations victory over Australia (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

“I’m born and bred from the Eastern Cape region, so I know the culture and the different cultures very well. I grew up there. Also had a very successful academy that was run through SA Rugby and has produced two Springboks. 

“There always seemed to be a void in where the Kings could have gone. My experience with Ulster comes into this. The most amazing experience of my life was when I played for Ulster in this competition and I would like to see a South African side produce a similar sort of competitiveness. It’s almost a personal thing. We can take Southern Kings forward.”

Just now, the Eastern Cape region is riding the crest of a wave due to World Cup-winning skipper Siya Kolisi hailing from the impoverished Zwide township outside Port Elizabeth. Kempson hopes the feel-good, rags to riches narrative won’t begin and end with the all-conquering Test skipper who was once part of the Eastern Province’s youths set-up.

“The Eastern Cape is very large, probably the size of Wales. But socially and economically it’s quite a poor province, so to get players like Siya Kolisi coming from rags to riches gives younger generations something that can inspire.

“A number of our (Kings) players have the same experience. Our captain (Howard Mnisi) doesn’t come from an affluent background and a number of our other players don’t either. Something brought up in our team before their win in Swansea was what would they like to be seen to do for the Eastern Cape and their youngsters? That was to inspire them to better themselves, get themselves into a better position. Better rugby, better whatever it might be.

“The love for the game is massive. Kids can see a Siya Kolisi lift the World Cup, can see a Howard Mnisi do very well in the PRO14. That makes a difference to them. Even if they might not aspire to be Springboks, it does help with social development in other areas because they are from such disadvantaged backgrounds. The main aim which these players are trying to do is to be Kings in the community and be inspiring that youth.

Siya Kolisi trophy
Siya Kolisi with the trophy during South Africa’s World Cup celebrations (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

“Breyton Paulse came through about that time (when I was playing for South Africa) and he was also pretty much a rags to riches. The extent that Siya has done it and what he has done for the country, I don’t think anyone would have foreseen something as big as what he has managed. 

“But I think there will be more. Lizo Gqoboka, who got his first Springbok cap just before the World Cup, he is from even more difficult circumstances, a little village in the middle of nowhere in the Eastern Cape. More and more of those stories will come out as these players are given opportunities.”

It was March last year when a consortium of black Eastern Cape businessmen acquired a controlling interest in the Kings franchise. They go by the bizarre title of The Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World, but Kempson believes they have bought in for the right reasons and have ambitious long-term plans.

“The Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World? I can’t explain the name,” he shrugged. “They don’t mention it often, to be honest. They mention more the fact they are very orientated around the Eastern Cape and want the entire region to benefit from what we are trying to achieve in rugby.

“Ultimately within a three-year situation we want to be getting into the playoffs, we want to be winning. At this present time, we are not expected to win but certainly the manner we play has to be reflective of what our general public would like to see. We don’t have internationals in our team as yet but with the younger group we are building with, I can definitely see one or two guys who can pop up in future Springbok squads. 

“Without a question, the new owners have changed things completely. We brought in 29 new players, younger players, on long-term contracts so there is going to be more longevity across the squad… the new owners understand pre-season prep was behind this season, but they have brought in Swys de Bruin to assist that process. He has experience with the Springboks, has been with the Lions, so they are willing to give us the resources which can only hold us in good stead for a long-term venture as opposed to a short term.”

Kempson even hopes the project will eventually mean participation in the European Challenge Cup, something to keep them busy at this time of year rather than kick their heels while their PRO14 rivals tackle the French and English teams. 

“The preference would be to get in the Challenge Cup and see if we are good enough to get into the Champions Cup from there. It’s really up to PRO14 and I guess the organisers of the Champions Cup, but it is certainly something we would like to be involved in. Hopefully, we can bring performances up to such an extent that they are going yes, we are good enough to compete.”

WATCH: The RugbyPass Rugby Explorer series meets local rugby communities in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town

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Jon 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

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j
john 5 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

21 Go to comments
A
Adrian 7 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

21 Go to comments
T
Trevor 10 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
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