SWD president Stag Cronje has been removed from his post and will have no role to play in the future of the Southern Kings.

Cronje was out-voted by the presidents of the SWD clubs, and he stepped down with immediate effect along with two vice-presidents and six executive committee members. As one of the three provinces that make up the Kings, this in-fighting in SWD is just one example of the political problems within the unions.

Saru was meant to meet with the presidents of SWD, EP and Border to plot the way forward for the Kings soon after Melbourne was awarded the 15th Super Rugby franchise for 2011. Three weeks after the announcement, this has not yet taken place and will be further stalled by Cronje’s removal.

Fareed Stemmett, Edward Jackson and John Nortje were elected as interim committee members to act as caretakers until the problems were rectified, with no permanent president in place.

Stemmett told The Herald the SWD clubs’ unhappiness was ‘because none of our local players can get into our provincial team, yet six of our players who went to the Pumas actually beat SWD three times this year, including the promotion/relegation match which determined who plays Currie Cup rugby [the Eagles actually played the Leopards in their two promotion/relegation matches and just lost on points difference].

‘The issue is development of rugby, not the personalities involved.’

Meanwhile, EP president Cheeky Watson says the Kings are still planning on playing in the 2011 Super 15 as one of the South African franchises. He told Die Burger they intend to tour Argentina in June, and to play as part of the IRB Nations Cup instead of the Emerging Boks. Watson also hopes to play other overseas and local teams in friendlies as part of their preparation.

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