Billionaire pays Kings a visit

Cape Town - Eastern Province Rugby Union president Andre Rademan has shed more light on Stade Francais owner Hans-Peter Wild’s visit to Port Elizabeth last weekend.

The owner of the French Top 14 club was accompanied by Rademan which started rumours that the German billionaire was keen to buy the Southern Kings franchise.

However, Rademan insists talks of buying the Kings are premature.

Rademan told Netwerk24 that Wild flew to Port Elizabeth with his own private plane and landed on Saturday morning.

The EP president said he accompanied Wild as they attended the Nelson Mandela Bay University’s sport centre before having lunch together.

Wild was then a guest at the PRO14 match between the Kings and Cheetahs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, before leaving Port Elizabeth after the game.

Rademan did not confirm whether Wild was interested in buying the Kings franchise.’

It’s no secret that EP Rugby and the Kings are struggling financially, following the liquidation of the union in 2016.

It forced SA Rugby to take control of the Kings franchise which competed in Super Rugby.

The Kings lost their Super Rugby status last year and they, along with the Cheetahs, were added to Europe’s PRO14.

The Kings, however, have struggled in their debut season, losing all 12 of their fixtures to date.