Editorial: Time for EP Rugby to be transparent

 SARU made it abundantly clear last week they have washed their hands off the outstanding Eastern Province Kings’ salary bill. Saru unveiled phase one of their plan to rescue franchise rugby in this region on Friday. They named a new coach, his assistants and the other fringe staff who would be involved in Super Rugby next year. Significantly, they will only be footing the salary bill for Southern Kings (Super Rugby) squad players. There is no clear indication as to when the Southern Kings’ squad of 42 players will be announced by Saru, but they have said only half of the squad will be made up of current EP Kings players. That will leave the remaining players at the mercy of EP Rugby for remuneration and that from a union that has no money. It is a sad state of affairs and some have referred to it as a real-life soap opera but in reality it is obviously much more serious than that.

Players’ futures and livelihoods are at stake and Cheeky Watson’s union, which has been in free-fall, can do very little about it. That Watson has allowed it to slip this far into the mire is something he has to be honest about and answer for. A number of clubs, albeit a small minority, have threatened to march on EP Rugby’s offices today and demand to see certain documents like audited financial statements, minutes of last year’s annual meeting and others papers. A group of disgruntled EP Kings players have signed a petition calling for a special general meeting and for Watson to step down as president. That petition is expected to also reach Watson’s office today. Clearly, there is much to be concerned about, but with Saru not wanting to delve into matters provincial, one has to wonder just how much will be revealed. However, it remains clear that the healing will be forever delayed as long as there is a lack of transparency.