PRO14 contract chance for Elephants trio

Some of EP’s ambitious young Elephants are harbouring jumbo-sized aspirations ahead of their clash against the Boland Cavaliers at the Despatch Rugby Club tomorrow.

Lucrative professional PRO14 contracts could be in the offing if they turn up the heat against the Bolanders in a SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash.

EP coach Ryan Felix said it was heartwarming to receive a call from Southern Kings coach Deon Davids informing him that three Elephants players had been invited to train with the PRO14 squad.

Despite only one win in seven outings, prop Zandre Vos, loose forward Bakkies Brown and fullback Michael Botha did enough to catch Davids’s eye during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge tournament.

The trio were called up after the Kings named a provisional 29-man squad ahead of the new PRO14 season, which kicks off in September.

Cameroonian prop Thierry Kuate and former SWD Eagles wing Clinton Wagman will join the Kings later on trial.

“Getting a call from Deon about the players was very heartwarming,” Felix said.

“I think Deon can also add Keanu Vers to that list when he recovers from his knee injury.

“I was so happy when Deon phoned me.

“Now I am praying that they all get PRO14 contracts.”

The Elephants play their final SuperSport Series Challenge match against the Boland Cavaliers tomorrow.

After beating the Bulldogs 26-14 in their last outing at Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe Stadium, the Elephants will be gunning to finish their campaign on a high note.

It was the Elephants’ first win of the campaign and came after six straight losses.

“I am really happy with what our guys achieved against the Bulldogs. It was awesome to get this first win behind [us],” captain Siya Mdaka said.

Admitting that it was stressful playing with club players, due to training constraints, Mdaka said: “I am happy the hard work they put in at training paid off in the match.”