Kings: Luiters is the players' voice
Luiters, who played 12 times for the Free State Cheetahs before moving to Port Elizabeth in 2014, caused a stir when he posted a plea for help on social media outlet Facebook.
While the media labelled the posting an "emotional outburst", Luiters told rugby365 he was not doing it for himself, but rather to get help for his fellow players.
The Kings have had trouble getting their salaries for months – with the players taking to public protest on more than one occasion, even wearing armbands during a match.
The cash-flow crisis has resulted in no payments since September and some players having to resort to accepting food stamps to survive.
However, the administrative power struggle – with some clubs campaigning for the removal of Cheeky Watson as President of the Eastern Province Rugby Union – has overshadowed the players' plight.
Luiters posted his "request for assistance" and the response has been remarkable – showing that the rugby community do care.
However, his motives were misrepresented.
It was not a selfish rant, but an attempt to help his teammates.
"I would like to reiterate that my actions and words on Facebook were not malicious in any sense, nor were they a rant or emotional outcry," Luiters told rugby365.
He made it clear that it was a plea to the rugby community for "support and understanding".
"I am not attacking or attempting to undermine the process that is being undertaken at this point in time," he said, adding: "I am respecting it.
"[My post] was in good faith towards the game that we all love, that we would like to practice as soon as possible – seeing as we [the Kings] are re-entering Super Rugby next year.
"[We want] to be the best prepared and competitive by when we return."
He said his actions were done on behalf of the players and staff that are not able to sustain themselves over the last three months.
"We appreciate all support that has flooded through and are ever so grateful for what has been done for us."
rugby365 has also decided to repost Luiters' original Facebook posting in full!
"The Kings experience: It's amazing how people's egos, pride and self legacy are more accepted and spoken of than the struggle of its employees and its players.
"Not one kind act of care has been displayed towards us, that have been without salary for two months. We are expected, when we get paid, to return happy and work our a**** off to make a successful campaign. Yes, trust us, we will do that.
"However, we remain a laughing stock of South African rugby and won't you all love it if we were to fail, but sing our praises if we succeed.
"Everyone is forgetting the struggle we had to endure – including times where we aren't even able feed ourselves, bath in warm water, cook a warm meal and [were unable] to look after our families.
"We continued getting slated in the press and by people behind a scenes that have agendas towards top level management.
"[They are] forgetting that us as players have nothing to do with that stigma.
"We are here following our dreams (as players at other unions are) and creating a future for ourselves. [We are] playing the game we love and want to all compete on the highest level possible.
"I would like to urge everyone to get behind us (even if you don't like the Kings – who I am proud to be a member of). Support us and at least spare a kind thought, knowing that it has been a tough period for us as professional athletes.
"We are people as well, with dreams and desires. I guarantee you [have a] harder work ethic than most.
"We continue being happy and continue smiling through this challenging period. It won't break us, but only prepare us for what lies ahead in 2016.
"If you would be so kind to contribute any sort of resources that will ease our cause, please message me [on Facebook].
"Thank you all for reading; Kind regards."
Luiters' Facebook post has not been the only one.
Other anonymous postings have likened the EPRU President, Watson, to a Hitler-like tyrant and said the players are caught in the middle of a "diabolical mess" where political and/or hidden agendas are at the forefront.
However, Luiters' public stance appears to have had a far more significant impact.
Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
