Concerned captain JC Astle said it would be a blow for the Isuzu Southern Kings if Deon Davids was appointed Bulls Super Rugby coach.
After taking charge of the Kings in a combined total of 59 Super Rugby and Guinness PRO14 matches, Davids is on a three-man list for the vacant Bulls position.
The other candidates are former Bok and Bulls lock Victor Matfield and Pote Human, Currie Cup head coach and Bulls Super Rugby forwards coach.
News that Davids is on a shortlist to coach the Bulls comes just four days before his team’s PRO14 clash against Irish side Connacht at Port Elizabeth’s Madibaz Stadium on Sunday.
“Yes, it would be a blow if Deon goes. He is a good coach and would like some success in this region,” Astle said.
“I think Deon has put so much sweat and time into this – maybe to leave now would not be good for the team [either].
“But if the time is right and everybody needs to move on, or get a good opportunity somewhere, you focus on that and do what you feel is best.”
Davids was not available to talk to the media on Tuesday despite requests for an interview.
Kings fans will be hoping this latest development does not destabilize a team that has managed to win only one of their opening eight matches.
Astle said his team would be looking to up their intensity against Connacht.
“We want to get better every week, get our penalty count lower and get little discipline errors out of the way.
“The Kings’ focus is on our own game and what we want to do against Connacht.
“Another big focus for us is to get a win and close down matches better. Our last game against Leinster went really well – we could have caught them at the end.
“But we let it slip in the first half and now we want to put up a full 80-minute performance against Connacht.”
Astle said the long list of injuries to prop forwards had made life difficult for the team.
“It is not ideal because every week new guys come in – it unsettles the team a little in the tight phases.
“You get used to some players, then you get new players.
“But for the players coming in it is an opportunity and hopefully they can step up again and help the team.”
The Kings skipper said having former Springbok prop Robbi Kempson coaching the forwards was a big boost.
“Robbi is a very experienced coach and it is good to have some input from his side.
“Getting some fresh ideas and structures helps a lot.
“The team are also working hard on stopping mauls – maybe that is a problem area for us.”
Tickets are on sale at all TicketPro outlets and will be available at the stadium gates on match day at R20 for the Connacht clash.