Front-row stalwart Schalk Ferreira is hopeful he will be able to add one final chapter to his Kings career, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
There has been plenty of upheaval in Kings country recently, with SA Rugby recently having to step in again to assume interim management control of the franchise after the disintegration of its private entity partners.
It’s led to another rebuilding phase for the Kings, with a new five-person board confirmed at the beginning of July to oversee the organisation’s affairs.
As the squad undergoes another restructuring, the Kings recently confirmed on social media that Ferreira‘s time at the franchise had come to an end, seemingly closing out the career of the most-capped Kings player of all time.
Yet, the 36-year-old prop has confirmed to SARugbymag.co.za that there may be an opportunity to sign on for another six-month stint with the Kings.
There are currently plans in place for SA Rugby to launch a new double-round Currie Cup, which would involve the Kings, once competitive action is able to resume in South Africa.
As it stands, the likelihood of this local competition start date is looking set to be pushed back from the end of August to some time in September as SA Rugby continues to wait for final government approval to allow teams to resume training.
Should all go according to plan, and if SA Rugby’s budget allows when it comes to the Kings’ squad restructuring, there is a possibility Ferreira will look to pick up where he left off.
‘It would be great to finish things off on the pitch. I’d be very sad to see the end of my career decided by the pandemic. I’d love to play my last game for the Kings,’ he stated in an exclusive interview.
‘So, it would be great if I was able to sign on for another six months and then perhaps see where things stand after that, and perhaps look at the overseas markets in France or Italy. Over there they are generally not as concerned by age, and are just looking for props with experience.
‘I feel like my fitness levels are still pretty good and that I could still do a job,’ he added.
