In a statement the union insisted that the Kings’ preparations for the first round of the expanded Currie Cup competition were on track, despite the current financial challenges being faced.
“Due to the current situation, and having lost a number of senior players, our focus has been on retaining the up and coming talent that the Kings Academy has been developing,” said Ellis.
Ellis said it was critical that these players were kept in the province, as they represented a substantial investment by the union over the past few years.
“A number of the players currently training with the team are academy players, as well as members of last year’s Under-19 and Under-21 Currie Cup squad, who have come through the local school structures and are the future stars of the region,” she said.
Last year the EP Kings Under 19 team walked away as champions of the Under 19 Premier Division competition, winning 11 of their 12 games. This after having secured promotion in the playoffs, after having won the first division competition, in 2013.
Former Springbok Kempson said he was looking forward to coaching the Currie Cup side and to working with the players.
“There has been a lot of hard work put in over the past five years, since the academy was established, to identify and develop talented players from the region and to keep them here.
