Heat rising in Super 12 competition

THE Eastern Cape Super 12 club rugby tournament is in full swing and teams will look to raise the bar even higher when they have a go at each other at various venues across the province tomorrow.

With the exception of East London’s Swallows and Port Elizabeth’s Spring Rose, who had a bye last week, the other teams have all played two games each so far.

Uitenhage side Gardens have stamped their mark on the competition and top this week’s Group A standings with six points.

In Group B, Progress are three clear at the top with nine points, ahead of second-placeed East London Police, who have six.

Matters will stray from the norm this weekend, when Swallows take on Spring Rose in a curtain raiser for the Border Bulldogs versus Southern Kings showpiece at the Buffalo City Stadium.

Tournament director Phumelele Hlati said:“The match offers a perfect window for club players to display their talent.

“We hope the match brings an opportunity of much-needed exposure to the public and for the Super Rugby hierarchy to perhaps select a few of the club stars.”

With their tails up, the PE Harlequins will want to maintain their momentum against a confident Progress, of Uitenhage, who have won both their opening games, in a clash at the Adcock Stadium tomorrow.

With no injuries, both coaches will have no changes to their squads this week.

The fixtures for tomorrow, all starting at 3pm and with homes teams first, are: Gardens v Cambridge (Rosedale, Uitenhage), Swallows v Spring Rose (Buffalo City Stadium), Breakers v Parks (Mlungisi Stadium, Komani), EL Police v Despatch (Police Park, East London), PE Harlequins v Progress (Adcock Stadium), Buffaloes v WSU (Buffalo Park, EL)