Divvy intends to rebuild EP

While winning is important – and that will come – it is not the beall and end-all for EP Elephants coach Peter de Villiers (below).

“My expectations are high, but it’s not only about winning and losing right now,” said De Villiers yesterday, two days after his side were thrashed 87-10 in a Preparation Series match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

It was a first outing in years at this level of the game in South Africa for the Eastern Province side.

Previously, a team of more recognised and well-travelled and experienced men ran out as the Southern Kings, but following the liquidation of the Super Rugby franchise, rugby has ground to a halt in the province.

“What I am trying to do with the Elephants is revive rugby in the region,” said De Villiers, a former Springbok coach.

“The people, including the rugby players of the Eastern Cape, are looked down upon. My goal is to give rugby to the area again and for it to be something everyone is proud of.

“The Eastern Cape has been left behind, we’re at the lower end of the food chain because of what rugby administrators did here before my time.

“I want the youth to have local heroes again…a generation has missed out, and I want to bridge that gap. It’s going to take time, but it’s possible.”

The Elephants, a team made up mainly of semi-professionals, many of whom have day jobs, played together in a competitive environment for the first time last Sunday.

“I’d never seen these guys play together until Sunday. Twenty-two of the 23 match-day squad I’d never seen play competitively before,” he added.

“We’re a R2 million team against a R50 million team, there are lots of imbalances.”

The Elephants are next in action against the Lions next Wednesday.