2017 Southern Kings season
In 2017, the Southern Kings participated in the 2017 Super Rugby competition, their third appearance in the competition after also playing in 2013 and 2016. They were included in the Africa 2 Conference of the competition, along with Jaguares, Lions and Sharks.
| 2017 season | |||
| Head coach | Deon Davids | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | Schalk Ferreira | ||
| Stadium | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | ||
| Overall | 11th | ||
| S.A. Group | 5th | ||
| Africa 2 Conference | 4th | ||
| Record | Won 6, Lost 9 | ||
| Top try scorer | All: Makazole Mapimpi (11) | ||
| Top points scorer | All: Lionel Cronjé (136) | ||
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In April 2017, SANZAAR announced that three clubs would be cut from Super Rugby for the 2018 Super Rugby season, with two of those teams coming from South Africa. A newly-established SARU Franchise Committee was tasked with determining the two teams to drop out of Super Rugby, and on 7 July 2017, it was confirmed that the Cheetahs and Kings would not participate in the competition going forward, but would "explore alternative playing opportunities in other international competitions". On 1 August 2017, the European-based Pro12 announced that the competition would expand to 14 teams — being rebranded the Pro14 — and that the Cheetahs and Kings would be the teams joining the expanded tournament from the 2017–18 season onwards.