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EP Kings gear up for Currie Cup in Nelson Mandela Bay

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Eastern Province Rugby will be fighting tough battles on two fronts as the bid to retain Super Rugby status looms, at the same time as the ABSA Currie Cup First Division kicks off.

Due to the current Super Rugby and Currie Cup schedules overlapping, the EP Kings will also have to contend with not having their Super Rugby players available for the first six matches of their Currie Cup campaign.

This means the EP Kings will be without their top players for their opening Currie Cup matches against the Pumas (June 28, Nelson Mandela Bay), Griffons (July 6, Welkom), Leopards (July 12, NMB), South Western Districts Eagles (July 19, George), Boland (July 26, NMB), Falcons (August 3, Kempton Park) and Border (NMB).

Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons, said this was a unique situation, as never before have Super Rugby and Currie Cup schedules overlapped to this extent, and that this would pose significant challenges, as essentially the province would have to manage two teams simultaneously.

Despite this, the EP Kings are confident that they will be able to put up a good fight as they once again fight for top honours in First Division and the right to compete for a coveted spot in the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division next year.

“We are confident that we will be able to put in a good showing in the Currie Cup, despite these challenges,” he said.

Solomons said that a number of young talented players who had put their hands up during the Vodacom Cup, and while the competition at Currie Cup level was much more intense, they showed potential.

“This is what we have been saying all along, Super Rugby is not just about being able to compete in the top competition, it also creates opportunities for other players who would otherwise not necessarily have had the opportunities to play,” he said.

Solomons said the coaching staff realised that they would need to tackle the Currie Cup competition head on from the start if they were to make a run at playing for the coveted Premier Division spot at the end of the season.

“I know that David Maidza and Robbi Kempson are up for the challenge,” he said.

EP Kings Acting CEO and General Manager, Charl Crous, said the union would continue with its stance of making top flight rugby in the province accessible to the general public.

“We have decided to charge just R30 per ticket for our Currie Cup games, with children under 13 paying just R15,” he said.

Crous said tickets would go on sale from tomorrow and would be available at all Computicket outlets as well as the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Boardwalk ticketing offices.

“Season ticket holders will also be able to collect their full complement of Currie Cup tickets from the Stadium’s ticketing office,” he said.

As part of the build up to the Currie Cup the EP Kings will meet the EP Kings Academy team at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University B Field on 19 June at 15:00.

The teams are:

EP Kings:

  • Starting Line-up: Ntabeni Dukisa, Brian Skosana, Waylon Murray, Tiger Mangweni, Yamkela Ngam, Wesley Dunlop, Yusuf (Boela) Abrahams, Dalton Davis, Mpho Mbiyozo, Tim Agaba, Daniel Adongo, Thabo Mamojela, Ross Geldenhuys, Hannes Franklin, Lizo Gqoboka
  • Replacements: Boetie Britz, Albie De Swart, Matthew Moore, Wayne van Heerden, Khuselo Moyakhe, Scott Mathie, Phumezo Tom, Scott Van Breda

EP Kings Academy:

  • Starting Lineup: Juan Smit, Ofentse Boloko, Lonwabo Ntleki, Andile Jho, Eben Barnard, Marlou v Niekerk, Sonwabo Majola, Stefan Zaayman, Stefan Willemse, Sinethemba Ndita, Brendan Hector, Sonkosi Kuhle, Pieter Stemmet, Dane vd Westhuizen, Brendon Olivier
  • Replacements: Albie de Swart, Marzuq Maarman/ , Erwin Slabbert/ JC Strauss, Siphesihle Punguzwa, Bangi Kobese, Aya Dlepu/ Jaco Bernado, Siphu Msutwana
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.