The Southern Kings opt not to hire a new head coach

The Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World (Pty) Ltd (GRC) has accepted a recommendation to not hire a new head coach for the Southern Kings.

The PRO14 side have been searching for a new head coach since they parted ways with former coach Deon Davids.

In a short statement on the team's website, the owners stated that the process was undermined around the confusion of the World Rugby Level 3 certification while also saying that the persistent media leaks further undermined the process.

It also confirmed that Director of Rugby, Robbi Kempson will act as the side's head coach in the interim until the position is filled.

'The events of the past few days have convinced the GRC, the majority shareholder in the ISUZU Southern Kings, to accept the initial recommendation of the interviewing panel to abort the process of selecting a new Head Coach.

The panel reported that they felt the process was undermined around the confusion of the World Rugby Level 3 certification. In addition, the persistent media leaks have further undermined the integrity of the process.

In the interim, Robbi Kempson, will act as interim Head Coach until the position is filled.

The GRC wishes to thank the candidates who showed interest in the position as well as the interviewing panel for their commitment and diligence.'

The decision follows weeks of speculation and reports that claimed that former Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers was not qualified for the job as he did not have his World Rugby Level 3 certificate with de Villiers clarifying that he in fact done his level three in Wales.

Current Worcester Warriors head coach Rory Duncan was also linked with the role with Worcester reportedly willing to let the former Cheetahs coach return to South Africa.