I think it would it be fair to say that last night's promotion/relegation game between the EP Kings and Cheetahs was one between two B Teams. The EP Kings 'B' Team was further severely depleted by the loss of Falie Oelschig to a Red Card for punching. With the Kings leading 32 minutes into the game, Oelschig ended any chance of a Kings victory when he tried to wrestle the ball away from stand-in Cheetahs captain Robert Ebersohn, then popped a short punch which was picked up by the final of … [Read more...] about Where to now EP Kings?
currie cup
Why the EP Kings Ascension to the Premier Division Looks Impossible
The Eastern Province Kings cemented a home semi-final after thrashing the Griffons 60-19 in Port Elizabeth last Friday night to move to 55 points – eight points ahead of the second-placed Ford Pumas with just two rounds remaining. The EP Kings meet the Pumas at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday 21 September. Kick off is at 7:10 pm. The First Division EP Kings are vying for a place in the Premier Division which is currently populated by 6 teams; Lions, Sharks, Western Province, … [Read more...] about Why the EP Kings Ascension to the Premier Division Looks Impossible
EP Kings Soar to Top of Points Log
Port Elizabeth based side, the EP Kings moved to the top of the table after a series of high-scoring fourth-round matches in the expanded eight-team competition. Defending Absa Currie Cup First Division champions the Regent Boland Kavaliers slumped to their fourth successive defeat. The unbeaten Griffons made it four from four when they beat the Kavaliers 23-20 in Worcester on Friday afternoon, a result which leaves the Welkom side second on points difference behind the Kings, who had no … [Read more...] about EP Kings Soar to Top of Points Log
EP Kings Trail Log Leaders by One Point
The EP Kings picked up their third win in a row with a convincing away victory over the Valke at an icy Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park. The visitors had the match virtually sewn up by halftime as they led 24-8 thanks to tries from prodigal son Michael Killian - who has returned to Port Elizabeth after a successful spell at the Lions - Kiwi prop Clint Newland and former Springbok wing Jongi Nokwe. The Valke were dealt an early blow when tighthead prop Nico Engelbrecht was injured and his … [Read more...] about EP Kings Trail Log Leaders by One Point
EP Kings Dominate the Middle of the Points Spread
After 4 games in the Absa Currie Cup first division the EP kings are on 4 points behind the South Wstern Districts, Griffons and Leopards who share the number one spot with 5 points apiece. In the tournament opener on Friday, the Regent Boland Kavaliers opened their title defence with a 25-20 home defeat to the side they beat in the 2011 final, the EP Kings. On Saturday, the Platinum Leopards held out against the Ford Pumas (32-23 in Potchefstroom) and the Griffons came away with a … [Read more...] about EP Kings Dominate the Middle of the Points Spread
EP Kings to Kick Off the Currie Cup Against Boland in Wellington
The first match of the new-look Absa Currie Cup First Division will kick off at Boland Stadium in Wellington on Friday when defending champions the Regent Boland Kavaliers host the Eastern Province Kings in a repeat of last year's final (kick-off 15h00). The 2012 season will see the Absa Currie Cup First Division expanded from six to eight team to allow the Premier Division - which kicks off on 10 August - to revert to a six-team, strength-versus-strength format. In Friday's other fixture, … [Read more...] about EP Kings to Kick Off the Currie Cup Against Boland in Wellington
It has taken me a while to decide that Bryce Lawrence also had a hand in the EP Kings Loss
Every morning and often through the day I get glimpses of the EP Kings background images on my monitor and it feels good. The confident strut in the step of a supporter of a winning team is one of the better feelings in the world. Now, in a double whammy the Springboks lost the title of Rugby World Champions and the EP Kings lost the title of 1st Division Absa Currie Cup Champions to Boland on Friday. From now on we shall refer to the loss as the Peter De Villiers / Bryce Lawrence … [Read more...] about It has taken me a while to decide that Bryce Lawrence also had a hand in the EP Kings Loss
Kings and Boland to Square off in Wellington
The Regent Boland Cavaliers will host the EP Kings in Absa Currie Cup First Division final in Wellington on Friday at 16:30 (Subject to ABF final confirmation). Both these teams, who finished the league phase of the competition way ahead of the four other teams in the First Division, were comfortable winners in their respective semi-finals on Friday. The Cavaliers beat the Tasol Solar Griffons by 50-20 at the Boland Stadium, and the Kings, current First Division defending champions, were … [Read more...] about Kings and Boland to Square off in Wellington
EP Kings vs Valke
Friday evening will be the local rugby going public's last chance to see the Kings play on home turf before travelling down to Wellington next week to contest the final against Boland (presuming that the Kings AND Boland both win their semi-final games). The Valke have not beaten the EP Kings in the last three seasons and face the tough task of travelling to Port Elizabeth for their Absa Currie Cup First Division semi-final against the defending champions. In fact, before this season the … [Read more...] about EP Kings vs Valke
The Stats Show Boland Far Ahead of EP Kings
For months now I have been squirming with secret, guilty pleasure each time the latest results in the Currie Cup First Division have been made known. Those long years when the only cup in the EP cupboard was a broken tea cup have always been a source of great personal shame to me. Our cricket team broke a long drought and then rugby started on the road to ascendancy - what could be better than two major teams showing the rest of the country that Eastern Province were now straightening up … [Read more...] about The Stats Show Boland Far Ahead of EP Kings
The Sad Sad Tale of EP’s Bonus Points Continues
The final round of the Absa Currie Cup First Division is a mathematician's dream, with various permutations meaning any of the six teams can still qualify for the semi-finals. The only certainties are that the EP Kings and Regent Boland Cavaliers will finish in the top two, but their final positions depend on the result between the Cavaliers' match against the SWD Eagles in George on Friday afternoon. (See: Didn't we Talk About Those Bonus Points EP?) In the only other game this weekend, … [Read more...] about The Sad Sad Tale of EP’s Bonus Points Continues
Didn’t we Talk About Those Bonus Points EP?
Going into their game against Boland on Friday, the EP Kings had a six point lead on their rivals. Leaving the Boland Stadium after a 49-15 thrashing at the Boland Stadium in Wellington on Friday the gap has suddenly narrowed to 1 point. The EP Kings have now completed their league fixtures. Boland ONLY need two points when they meet 4th on the log SWD Eagles next week. Even a blind, deaf, mute, bedridden betting man will confidently predict that Boland will romp away from that game with 5 … [Read more...] about Didn’t we Talk About Those Bonus Points EP?
Six Points Separate Log Leaders
The Regent Boland Cavaliers have a great opportunity to close in on the first place on the standings when they host the Absa Currie Cup First Division log leaders, the EP Kings, in Wellington on Friday. Although, with the EP Kings having recorded four wins against Boland since 13 July 2010, most punters will be putting their money on success for the red and black hoops. It's the unbeaten Kings' last league game as they have a bye next week, while the Cavaliers, six points behind EP on the … [Read more...] about Six Points Separate Log Leaders
There is only ONE Team that Remains Unbeaten in the Currie Cup
In Port Elizabeth, the EP Kings ran in six tries as they remained the only unbeaten team in the Absa Currie Cup when they beat the Valke by 40-10 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday. The win secured for EP the twin accolades of being the only unbeaten team in the Currie Cup competition as well as being the team that has scored the most points to date in this year's competition. I must confess that the total points scored could have been a whole whack higher though … [Read more...] about There is only ONE Team that Remains Unbeaten in the Currie Cup
Last Home Game for EP Kings
The EP Kings have an opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the Absa Currie Cup First Division standings on Friday when they host the Valke in their last home game in Port Elizabeth before the start of the playoffs. The Regent Boland Cavaliers, second on the log just one point behind the Kings, have a bye this weekend and will be keen to see how their closest competitors perform against the team from the East Rand. The EP Kings starting fifteen is: SP Marais (15), Joe Breytenbach … [Read more...] about Last Home Game for EP Kings
