The Eastern Province Kings have signed Henning van der Merwe as their new kicking coach. EP Rugby CEO, Charl Crous, confirmed that Van der Merwe, 28, had been signed until the end of the 2017 season. "Henning comes with a great track record, having coached highly competitive rugby teams for Currie Cup, Varsity Cup and Club championships," he said. Van der Merwe joined the Kings from the Leopards Rugby Union, where he had been kicking coach for their senior and junior teams since last … [Read more...] about New Kicking Coach for EP Kings
currie cup
EP Kings ABSA Currie Cup Fixtures
The much anticipated ABSA Currie Cup fixtures have been announced, confirming that the EP Kings will play their first Currie Cup Premier Division match against Western Province at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on the 9th of August. EP Rugby CEO, Charl Crous said the fixtures confirmed that top flight rugby would once again be part of Nelson Mandela Bay's events calendar. "We'll be playing five home games at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with games against DHL Western Province, the … [Read more...] about EP Kings ABSA Currie Cup Fixtures
And the EP Kings are IN
The Absa Currie Cup will feature an eight-team Premier Division and a new qualification round, following the decision to expand the top flight the South African Rugby Union announced today. A Special General Council meeting of the 14 member unions gave the required 75% majority to a resolution to go to an eight-team Premier Division and six-team First Division for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The new structure will ensure that the six ‘anchor’ unions of South Africa’s Vodacom Super Rugby … [Read more...] about And the EP Kings are IN
Kings ascension to Premier League looks even more doubtful
SARU have advised that the planned Special General Council meeting of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), to be held in Cape Town on Friday, has been postponed until 13 February. The meeting was called to discuss for the third time a proposal relating to the restructuring of the Absa Currie Cup into an eight-team Premier Division and six-team First Division. However, soundings taken by the Executive Council (Exco) in advance of the meeting clearly indicated that the latest proposal was … [Read more...] about Kings ascension to Premier League looks even more doubtful
2 out of 3 for EP Kings in Nelspruit
Three EP kings teams traveled to Nelspruit on Friday 11 October 2013 to play their finals in their various divisions. Two returned victorious and one returned with a R500 000.00 consolation prize. The EP Kings u19 team trounced the Valke 56-40 scoring 8 tries to the Valke's 4 after leading 31-16 at halftime. Under 19 Scorers: EP Kings 56 (31): Conversions - Selvyn Davids (5). Penalties - Selvyn Davids (2). Tries - Khaya Malotana (3), Matthew Luke Moore, Selvyn Davids (3), Sergeal … [Read more...] about 2 out of 3 for EP Kings in Nelspruit
Three Epic EP Kings Finals
The Absa Currie Cup First Division Final between the Steval Pumas and EP Kings at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday is expected to culminate into a spectacle as the top two teams in the series battle it out for the trophy and the R1m winner's cheque after 15 weeks of physically taxing rugby. The teams met in the Final last year in Port Elizabeth, and with little separating them in terms of their quality of play, the Kings edged to a 26-25 victory. This year's Final, which will … [Read more...] about Three Epic EP Kings Finals
The EP Kings rugby season by the numbers
After beating the Leopards 32-29 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this past Friday the EP Kings will travel to Nelspruit to meet the Pumas in the Kings fourth final appearance in a row. The Eastern Province Kings will be playing for the right to be crowned champions whilst the Pumas, whether they lose or not and as a result of their massive points advantage, will play the Griquas in a promotion relegation series to decide which of the two teams will play in the 2014 Premier … [Read more...] about The EP Kings rugby season by the numbers
One more hurdle in the way of Eastern Province Rugby and transformation
Eastern Province Rugby Union President, Cheeky Watson, confirmed that the proposal to expand the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division from six teams to eight next year was not passed during a special general meeting held in Johannesburg today. The proposal, which was tabled with SARU at the end of the Super Rugby season, was initially presented to the unions at a special general meeting held on the 19th of September, but the vote was delayed till the 30th for further consideration. Watson … [Read more...] about One more hurdle in the way of Eastern Province Rugby and transformation
Absa Currie Cup format 2014 – same old same old
A proposal to expand the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division to eight teams in 2014 was rejected by a Special General Council meeting of South African Rugby Union provinces in Johannesburg on Monday. A second proposal – dependent on the success of the first – that the Lions be entrenched in Vodacom Super Rugby for the next two years therefore fell away. As a result, the status quo remains and the team that finishes top of the Absa Currie Cup First Division log in 2013 will play the last-placed … [Read more...] about Absa Currie Cup format 2014 – same old same old
Home semi-final for EP Kings
The Eastern Province Kings consolidated their position in the No 2 slot on the Absa Currie Cup First Division log when they convincingly beat the Border Bulldogs 38-20 at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Friday, taking home a bonus point in this East Cape derby. An exceptional strong wind blowing straight down the ground made conditions difficult for the two teams and Border had the wind behind their backs in the first half. A brilliant well-thought-out move by Border left the EP … [Read more...] about Home semi-final for EP Kings
EP Kings vs SWD Eagles
The EP Kings team that will take on the SWD Eagles in their next ABSA Currie Cup First Division clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday evening remains relatively unchanged from the team that beat the Leopards 44 to 26 in Potchefstroom. Ath the announcement attended by EP Kings head coach David Maidza, Captain Tiger Mangweni and Scrumhalf Nicholas Vergall (who had a snippet of good news for jaded scribes) - Maidza, said the only change to the starting line up from the game against … [Read more...] about EP Kings vs SWD Eagles
Super Rugby Players bolster EP Kings ahead of Pumas clash in Nelspruit
A much changed, strengthened Currie Cup team was announced by EP Kings Head Coach, David Maidza, this afternoon, following the return of a number of Super Rugby players to the squad. Only three players retained their starting positions from the team that played against Border Bulldogs last week, as the team gear up for a major clash against top of the log leaders, the Steval Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday. "I think we owe ourselves a good performance, especially against the Pumas. We have a … [Read more...] about Super Rugby Players bolster EP Kings ahead of Pumas clash in Nelspruit
EP Kings 9 (3) Border Bulldogs 6 (0)
In Port Elizabeth on Friday night, the Border Bulldogs' brave defence forced the EP Kings to fight for their 9-6 victory despite dominating possession in the last 60 minutes. Such was the tight nature of the game, the first points were scored in the 36th minute thanks to a penalty by EP Kings fullback Ntabeni Dukisa. His Bulldogs counterpart Dale Sabbagh, meanwhile, slotted over two penalties in five minutes in the second half to take a 6-3 lead in the 52nd minute. The teams continued to battle … [Read more...] about EP Kings 9 (3) Border Bulldogs 6 (0)
Down a Griffon feel satisfied
In Welkom on Saturday afternoon, a fantastic first-half showing by the EP Kings, which earned them their bonus point try before the break and an encouraging 29-14 half-time lead, placed them in a comfortable position to weather a second-half fight back by the Down Touch Griffons and secure a 37-21 victory. One hopes that the continued good showings by the EP Kings are an indication that the headlines when the Southern Kings meet the Lions in the promotion relegation games will reflect one … [Read more...] about Down a Griffon feel satisfied
EP Kings gear up for Currie Cup in Nelson Mandela Bay
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 … [Read more...] about EP Kings gear up for Currie Cup in Nelson Mandela Bay
