Club players to lead EP hopes against Boland
Mainly club players will be thrown into battle for the cashstrapped EP Elephants when they play their opening Currie Cup First Division match against the Boland Cavaliers in Robertson on Saturday.
While the Southern Kings landed a mega sponsorship deal on Monday, the Elephants are still struggling to compete in professional rugby because of a lack of funding.
Last year the Kings lost all seven of the matches they played in the Currie Cup and their prospects for the new campaign are not encouraging.
In the recently completed SuperSport Rugby Challenge the Kings were the worst performing team in their section, winning only one of eight matches.
There was speculation that the Elephants might forfeit their opening game, but that was denied by EP Rugby president Andre Rademan.
“Irrespective of the scoreline, EP will honour their fixture and we will play with club players,” said Rademan.
“I am confident in the future we will see a stronger Currie Cup side with the benefits of the new Isuzu sponsorship deal.
“The problem is we had to start building from the top. Our EP UP19 team has been losing by heavy scores this season. We are playing amateurs in a professional league.
“Now there are plans for an Academy things will filter up through the juniors. This new sponsorship will change the franchise for good.”
EP, who failed to win a match last season, are expecting to face a tough challenge from last year’s semi-finalists, who have been victorious in the last three matches between the sides.
The First Division teams will kick-off their season this weekend following weeks of preparation, with the matches in George, Robertson, Windhoek and Kempton Park marking the first of seven action-packed pool rounds.
Friday’s opening encounter between the SWD Eagles and Leopards in George will mark a historic day in the Currie Cup First Division.
South Africa’s top woman referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron, will become the first woman to officiate a match at this level.
In Saturday’s clashes the Welwitschias will host defending champions, the Griffons, in Windhoek, and the Falcons take on the Border Bulldogs in Kempton Park.
The Leopards will be hunting their fifth victory in six matches against SWD, although it could be a tight clash following their 42-42 draw in their last encounter in Potchefstroom.
The clash between Border and the Falcons could prove a tight tussle given the number of closely-fought clashes between the teams in the last few years.