No slowing down
Elephants hunt third win on trot
EP’s Elephants will approach Saturday’s vital Currie Cup First Division showdown against the Falcons as if it were a knockout quarterfinal, EP coach Chumani Booi said.
The race for a berth in the First Division playoffs has almost ended and EP must beat the Falcons to fulfil their ambition of a semifinal clash.
After round six of the competition, the unbeaten Jaguares, from Argentina, remain top of the log with 30 points, followed by the Griffons (22 points), Falcons (20) and Elephants (16).
The Leopards also have 16 points, but EP are ahead in the standings because of their superior points difference.
The other final league games are Boland versus the Griffons, the Jaguares v the Leopards and the Border Bulldogs against the SWD Eagles.
“This game against the Falcons will be like a quarterfinal for us,” Booi said.
“It is a game we need to win to give ourselves a chance to compete in the playoffs.
“So we will be thorough in our preparation and we will ensure that we get the team up and ready for the challenge.
“Looking after our ball a bit better will be a big focus in training,” the EP coach said.
“Another area we will concentrate on is to ensure that we secure ball and play in the right areas.
“Our game management is going to be key.”
A fearless display by EP’s forwards paved the way for a hard-fought 27-21 win over the SWD Eagles in George in their last outing.
EP flyhalf Oliver Zono converted all three of his team’s tries to help get his team over the line.
It was a second consecutive win on the road for the Elephants and followed their victory over the Border Bulldogs in Mthatha.
After a slow start to the season, EP have picked up the pace and will be looking for a third win on the spin against the Falcons.
In their opening two games, the Elephants were beaten by both the Leopards and the Griffons, and their chances of a top-four finish appeared to be remote.
Speaking at the launch of the Currie Cup season, EP Rugby Union president Andre Rademan urged his players to get EP back into the top division of South African rugby.
“We must win the First Division and go to the playoffs. I think we will be very strong in the First Division,” he said.
“Our main aim is to go into the Premier Division and there are two reasons for that.
“One is a financial reason and the other is we are the only franchise not playing in the Premier Division.
“So for us it’s a personal thing to go into the Premier Division,” Rademan said.
Asked how promotion to the Premier Division would work, SA Rugby officials said a final decision had yet to be made on the format.