Upbeat EP keep firm for life in Currie Cup

EP RUGBY administrator Monde Tabata says plans are being made for EP’s participation in next year’s Currie Cup despite the uncertainty of which division the Kings will play in.

At this stage it remains unclear whether EP will continue to play in the top tier Currie Cup Premier Division or be relegated to the First Division.

There is also an initial provincial tournament, which usually kicks off in April, that the Kings will have to prepare for.

Last season, it was called the Currie Cup qualifying competition, which took the place of the Vodacom Cup.

The format for this early season tournament at the Kings’ status is expected to be thrashed out on December 9 at a SA Rugby general council meeting in Cape Town.

EP will not have a vote because they are under administration.

“Yes, plans are being made for the Currie Cup. At an appropriate time public announcements will be made,” said Tabata.

While the Southern Kings Super Rugby franchise have appointed their coaching staff and majority of players, the EP Kings have not announced any coaching or playing appointments.

Tabata said he felt that the turnaround strategy adopted to put EP Rugby back on its feet had been successful.

“We feel that the conference in October achieved its objectives. It has energised the EPRU leadership at all levels.

“We have budgeted for 2017 in terms of it and we believe over a period of time, aspects of it will emerge at graduated stages, some earlier than others.

“I am encouraged by the buy-in. 2017 will be the start date of the implementation.”

Last year the Currie Cup qualify tournament kicked off in the first week of April and the team were coached by Robbi Kempson.

With the team only gathering days before their opening match, it was not surprising that they struggled to make an impact under their new coach Barend Pieterse who took over from Kempson.

They lost all eight matches they played and finished bottom of the log, conceding 379 points and leaking a massive 59 tries.

It has not been decided who will represent EP at next week’s meeting.