Deon Davids: Southern Kings coach faces major rebuild ahead of Pro14 launch

Deon Davids guided the Kings to their first-ever victory over South African opposition in Super Rugby this year

Deon Davids admits he faces a "huge challenge" to rebuild his Southern Kings squad for the expanded Pro14.

The Kings, one of two South African entrants for the coming season, are due to begin training on Monday, only 18 days before their league opener.

Uncertainty over the franchise's future meant a host of regular starters moved on at the end of Super Rugby in July.

"I've lost a couple of key players to other unions because pro-rugby wasn't confirmed," head coach Davids said.

"The uncertainty was the only reason most of the players left. Obviously, for me now, the challenge is to put forward a competitive squad.

"We have been busy for a couple of weeks with that and got some support from surrounding franchises and unions."

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The Kings, who play in Port Elizabeth, enter the Pro14 next month with the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs after both were axed from Super Rugby, which is downsizing from 18 to 15 teams for the 2018 season.

The Kings and Cheetahs met in the pair's final Super Rugby outing in July, the Cheetahs winning by a point

The two franchises played their final Super Rugby fixture on 14 July and are due to start their maiden northern hemisphere campaigns just seven weeks later on 1 September. The Kings begin against defending champions Scarlets in Llanelli.

In the interim period, Davids has been shorn of captain Lionel Cronje, who has moved to Japan, while several other first-team players have joined rival South African teams, or clubs in Europe.

"We developed a strong core group, a very strong brotherhood and a great culture in Super Rugby and you could see it in the brand of rugby we played and the way the guys fought for each other right until the end," the 49-year-old added.

"Rugby's about continuity, building combinations and having a strong culture. To lose all of that suddenly and start to rebuild is obviously a huge challenge.

"The players that will play in this competition will be well-conditioned, they'll have played a lot of rugby and will be used to playing for 80 minutes.

"But, for such a long competition period, you want to start with a proper base and proper preparation, playing good friendlies and building it up so you can peak at the right time. Unfortunately, we are not there yet for this year."

Captain and stand-off Lionel Cronje was the Kings' top points-scorer in Super Rugby but has left for Japan

Reports in the South African media have linked Davids with a move away from the franchise, but while he says he did consider options elsewhere, the coach insists he is now contracted and committed to leading the team into its new European venture.

The Kings are to assemble for training this week, with "30-32 players" forming the basis of what Davids hopes will become a squad of around 45.

"It's very tough, there's a lot of work to be done," he said. "It's going to be absolutely important that we keep things very simple, we ensure that we look to recruit the right type of player with the right experience that can downsize a bit of your coaching time.

"Like any other rugby coach at the end of a competition, when your contract comes to an end, you consider what is available in the market and how you can expand and grow and maybe work in different environments.

"That's just a natural thing, but I was committed to the Kings for Super Rugby and now knowing this competition is a reality I'm still busy working here."

The addition of two South African teams means the Pro14 has adopted a two-conference format