The Kings have reached a mutual agreement to allow head coach Deon Davids to part ways with the franchise.

The Port Elizabeth-based team made the announcement on Wednesday, bringing Davids’ three-year reign over the team to an end.

Davids took over as head coach in the 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby season, with the team finishing 17th in his first season and 11th in his second in 2017 before they were dropped from the competition.

Under Davids, the Kings have finished bottom of their Pro14 conference in the two seasons they have been involved in since joining the competition in 2017.

‘We greatly appreciate the hard work Deon has done in laying the foundation for the future,’ Kings chairman Loyiso Dotwana said. ‘He came in at a very difficult time but was still able to play an instrumental role in bringing stability and focus to the team.

‘We take this opportunity to thank Deon for his efforts and to wish him well with his future.’

Davids reflected on his time at the Kings and thanked the franchise for the opportunity to coach at a top level.

‘I have had a daunting but at the same time rewarding experience as head coach of the Kings and the time has come for me to hand the reins to the next head coach. I need to grow further as a coach and look forward to doing that.

‘The Kings represent an important rugby region and I trust that with sufficient resources it will play its rightful role in South African rugby.’

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images