Key meetings to decide EP rugby’s fate

If EP get green light to play in top flight they can expect a cash injection of at least R7m

Two crucial meetings over the next five days will determine EP Rugby’s future and whether the union is able discard its image of being SA Rugby’s whipping boys.

On Saturday, EP clubs will gather for the union’s annual meeting to elect an executive that will steer it for the next four years.

Two days later, EP’s newly elected president will make a case at SA Rugby’s annual meeting for the Elephants to be included in the Currie Cup Premier Division.

This presidential battle will be a shoot-out between incumbent president Andre Rademan and Vernon Stuurman, who is mounting a challenge to assume the reins of power.

If EP get the green light to play in the top flight at the national meeting they can expect a cash injection of at least R7m from SA Rugby. But, if EP are unable to secure a seat place at SA Rugby’s top table, they will compete in the lower league First Division.

Insiders said EP could not get the 75% vote they needed to play in the top tier at an SA Rugby meeting in January.

If this result is not overturned on Tuesday, EP will continue to play with the Griffons, Falcons, Boland, the SWD Eagles, Leopards and Border in the First Division.

Not deterred by the earlier vote, EP have insisted that their right to play in the Premier Division is on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.

Whether it is Rademan or Stuurman who makes EP’s case at the SA meeting, winning over the delegates will be a difficult task.

The less glamorous First Division will make it difficult for EP to attract sponsors and to assemble a top-quality squad.

EP are confident of getting the nod to play in the Premier Division because they enjoy franchise status.

Counting against them is that they were the whipping boys in the Preparation Series when they lost by heavy margins to the Bulls, Lions, Griquas and Cheetahs.

Because of a lack of financial clout, EP were forced to field a team of mainly club players whose lack of experience at the top level was cruelly exposed.

EP coach Peter de Villiers and his team returned to training at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last week to prepare for all eventualities.

A concerned De Villiers has made it clear EP must be bolstered by new players if they want to be competitive at the top level.

“At this stage I do not know when my team will play again,” De Villiers said.

“At this stage I know our shortfalls and what we lack, so the emphasis at training now is how to bring them to the next level.

“Those are the things I am focusing on.

“EP have lost two players since the Preparation Cup in Chris Hollis [to Griquas] and Athi Mayinje [Griffons].

“Which teams will play in the Currie Cup Premier Division must still be decided by SA Rugby,” De Villiers said.

“I definitely think there is a 70% chance that EP will be in the Premier Division.

“We just have to be ready when that comes along because it will be much tougher than the Preparation Series.”

Insiders said EP could not get the 75% vote they needed to play in the top tier at an SA Rugby meeting in January