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Kings’ search for head coach hits more snags

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Steve Jackson is said to be the Southern Kings  chairperson’s  favourite.  Picture: Joel Ford / Getty Images
Steve Jackson is said to be the Southern Kings chairperson’s favourite. Picture: Joel Ford / Getty Images

As a shortlisted candidate gets disqualified, board wants to scrutinise more CVs, but the clock is ticking and the Pro14 campaign starts in September.

The Southern Kings’ search for a new head coach – a time-sensitive pursuit given that the team is already in preseason training – has taken a turn towards the frustrating.

Having interviewed all four of the candidates on the short list earlier this week, the panel assembled to recommend the ideal candidate to the Kings’ board has asked to have another look at the rest of the applicants who meet the franchise’s criteria – a level three coaching qualification and coaching at international level.

This is because one of the shortlisted coaches, Corniel van Zyl, was disqualified from the race on account of only having a level two coaching certificate. Quite why it is important to take another look at the list of applicants to find a candidate to replace one whose qualifications automatically took him to the bottom of the short list is a mystery.

Steve Jackson is said to be the Southern Kings chairperson’s favourite. Picture: Joel Ford / Getty Images

The tricky, if inconsistent, bit is that one of the other shortlisted candidates – former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers – is also said to not be in possession of a level three coaching certificate. Presumably, his international experience – and successes (the 2009 Tri-Nations title and British and Irish Lions series win in the same year) – with the Boks cut him some slack with the selection panel.

The panel was supposed to have made its recommendation to the board by Friday. But, should it decide to interview another candidate, as their request for more CVs would suggest, this can only happen this week.

As it turns out, the delay will suit Kings chairperson Loyiso Dotwana, who is in the UK on business and is only expected back in the country on Wednesday.

When he does get back, he and his board will, in all likelihood, deliberate the credentials of Rory Duncan and New Zealander Steve Jackson, who have apparently emerged as the top two candidates.

Duncan, a former Eastern Province and Cheetahs lock who coached the Cheetahs to the Pro14 play-offs in their first season in the competition, is seen by some in the Kings’ set-up as the best qualified candidate. This is due to his knowledge of the area, having grown up there, and his reputation for managing players well.

Jackson is said to be Dotwana’s preference as the Kings chairperson has been keen on a New Zealand coach from the day the search for a new head coach began.

In terms of time, Duncan has emerged as a favourite after an article on Rugbypass.com this week quoted his current employers, the Worcester Warriors, as saying he wasn’t part of their strategic plans for the future.

“We do not envisage Rory Duncan being part of those plans and, therefore, we have given Rory permission to seek opportunities elsewhere,” said a club spokesperson.

Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers’ international exposure has kept him in the running for the job at the Kings. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky / BackpagePix

Jackson can only start work in October – an issue for the Kings as they begin their Pro14 campaign on September 28 – and that start will be dictated by how far his current team, Samoa, go at the Rugby World Cup.

Samoa’s last group game is against Ireland on October 12. Should they somehow finish in the top two in a pool that included Ireland, hosts Japan, Scotland and Russia, Jackson’s start at the Kings would be closer to the beginning of November.

The powers that be at the Kings will be hoping for smooth sailing on the head coach front after having had a bumpy ride of it throughout the recruitment process.

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has already had to withdraw from the panel to select the coach after a board member called him racist on social media. The whole process has also been characterised by leaks, which are said to have moved sponsors Isuzu to warn the Kings’ board that it will withdraw its support if this behaviour persists.

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