Luke Watson heads back home

South African flanker Luke Watson has said the lure of returning to his home city of Port Elizabeth is behind his decision to leave English club Bath at the end of the current Premiership season.

The 27-year-old former Springbok back-row joined Bath in November 2009 and helped in their transformation from relegation candidates to Premiership finalists last season.

But he is now set to join the Port Elizabeth-based Eastern Province Kings on a three-year contract.

Watson’s father, Cheeky, a former rugby player and anti-apartheid activist, is the president of the Kings.

Luke Watson himself caused consternation in South Africa in 2008 when he said he had to “keep myself from vomiting” on the Springbok jersey.

Difficult decision
Watson, in a Bath statement, said on Monday: “This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I love everything about Bath—the city, the people, and most importantly, the club.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here immensely, but I feel that the opportunity to go back to my home city and to the club that I first played professional rugby for is the chance of a lifetime and one that I can’t miss, both for myself and my family.

“It’s always been my dream to see top-flight rugby established within the Eastern Cape and I am very excited to be able to be a part of this.”

Bath coach Steve Meehan added: “Of course we are sad to see Luke leave, he has been a very inspirational member of the squad for us, both on and off the field, but we respect his decision.”

The Kings are currently in the second tier of South African domestic rugby but are aiming for promotion to the top flight of the Currie Cup.—Sapa-AFP