After a rugby hiatus Port Elizabeth is gearing up for a promising feast of sport from June through to October and then again in December when the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament kicks off.
Preparation is taking place on all fronts – for fans, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the city – but the most important groundwork is being done by the EP Kings as they get ready to take on Wales on June 10.
The Welsh team will prove to be a formidable foe on the field, as one of the top rugby countries in the world. Wales competes annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland and have won the Six Nations outright – and previous incarnations of the tournament – 26 times.
The Welsh are heavily favoured to record a win at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium having produced some of the most respected British & Irish Lions players in history, including the great Gareth Edwards. Their biggest recorded win was against Japan in 2004 when they thumped the ‘Cherry Blossoms’ 98-0.
However, in 1998 the Welsh suffered their heaviest defeat against their long-time rivals, South Africa, clinched the win with the remarkable score of 96-13.
Playing in South Africa has always been a challenge for the Welsh team and the EP Kings are hopeful that this will give them an edge come game day.
“The home ground advantage always counts for something,” said Charl Crous, EP Kings Chief Executive. “We are confident that we can challenge the Welsh side – and put on a good show for the fans.”
The Welsh fixture signals the start of a demanding season for the local side as they gear up for the Currie Cup Premier Division competition, which will see tough but not impossible winning assignments ahead for the relatively new team.
The Currie Cup features a number of home matches at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the pressure on the Kings to start recording some home victories has intensified following their inclusion in the 2014 Premier Division.
“What better time to record a win in front of our home fans than with a victory over the Welsh on the 10th of June,” Crous added. “But a warning to the visitors would be not to underestimate the Kings. Our boys will play with a blazing spirit and are going to keep their opponents on their toes when they meet between the four lines.”
Alan Straton
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