The Eastern Province Kings have made a late change to their side that will host Western Province at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (kick-off at 19:00). 31-year-old Schalk Ferreira would start in place of loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka, who has picked up a knee injury. Basil Short will take Ferreira’s place on the bench. Western Province have named a strong side for the pre-Currie Cup friendly that will see the Springbok duo of Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh … [Read more...] about Gqoboka out for Saturday’s Game
eastern province
Could EP Under-19 make it 3-in-a-row against WP?
Following victories in their opening two matches, the EP Kings U19 side face arguably their toughest challenge of the season so far when they meet their Western Province counterparts in the Absa U19 interprovincial tournament at Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (July 25). It will be a case of east versus west at the NMB Stadium on Saturday because the U19 game at 14.00 will be followed by the U21 provincial competition clash between the two provinces at 16.15, with the senior … [Read more...] about Could EP Under-19 make it 3-in-a-row against WP?
WP team to play EP Kings
Western Province head coach John Dobson has selected a powerful combination for Saturday's Currie Cup pre-season clash against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth (19:00 kick-off). Having fielded a largely untried WP XV selection against the Pumas last weekend, Dobson has recalled most of his first-choice players for Saturday's meeting. Squad captain Juan de Jongh will team up with national skipper Jean de Villiers in midfield, with powerhouse flank Rynhardt Elstadt named at No 6 upon his … [Read more...] about WP team to play EP Kings
EP to play in Coca-Cola Craven Week final match
Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week hosts Western Province will host Eastern Province in the grand finale of the tournament on Saturday at the Markötter Sports Complex at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch following strong performances in their first two matches. Western Province defeated the Blue Bulls 20-13 in their opening match and supported this with an emphatic 65–5 victory against the Griffons on Wednesday, while Eastern Province beat SWD 41-31 and KwaZulu-Natal 23-22 respectively. In … [Read more...] about EP to play in Coca-Cola Craven Week final match
EP in running for second annual win
Eastern Province and the Valke on Thursday stayed in the running for a possible place in the final match of the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week on Saturday as they fought their way to victories on Day Four at the Markötter Sports Complex at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch. Eastern Province, who came out tops in last year's tournament, registered a nail-biting 23-22 victory against KwaZulu-Natal in a gripping clash, in which two players received red cards. The clash between Eastern … [Read more...] about EP in running for second annual win
U-21’s Determined to bounce back
Hurt by their 58-12 loss to Free State last weekend, EP Kings U21 coach Ryan Felix said his team were determined to bounce back when they meet the Leopards in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division in Potchefstroom on Saturday (July 18). The EP team, who welcome back flank Kevin Kaba as captain this weekend, are playing in the Premier Division for the first time and are fired up to show they can compete with the leading provincial teams in their age-group. "l don't want to take anything away … [Read more...] about U-21’s Determined to bounce back
EP U19 and U21 Teams to play Leopards
The Eastern Province U19 and U21 teams to play their Leopards counterparts in the Currie Cup Premier Division in Potchefstroom on Saturday, July 18 are: EP U19 (15-1): Mabhutana Peter, Avelo Jubase, Yamkela Nyalambisa, Jeremy Ward (captain), Athi Mayinje, Jordan Koekemoer, James Hall, Junior Pokomela, Hayden Tharratt, SF Nieuwoudt, Lusanda Badiyana (vice-captain), Robert Lyons, Roche van Zyl, Masikane Mazwi, Nicolaas Oosthuizen. Replacements (16-23): Thango Balekile, Xandre Vos, Keegan … [Read more...] about EP U19 and U21 Teams to play Leopards
Eastern Province 43 – Pumas 0
Eastern Province cruised to a 43-0 win against the Pumas in the SARU Girls Under-18 Week at Glenwood High School in Durban this afternoon. Western Province and Border have emerged as the two top sides in the SARU Girls Under-18 Week after registering their second round of victories to emerge as the only two unbeaten sides. Western Province built on their morale-boosting 74-0 victory in the opening round with a convincing 64-0 victory against SWD, while Border defeated Zimbabwe 27-0. The … [Read more...] about Eastern Province 43 – Pumas 0
Schools rugby this week
There will be plenty to play for when the Meyer Sauerman tournament takes place at Brandwag in Uitenhage on Saturday (May 16) as players from around the province vie for spots in the provincial teams for the junior weeks to be played in July. Securing a spot in your provincial age-group team must be top of the agenda for any aspiring young rugby player and EP's triumph in the Craven Week in Middelburg last year brought recognition for many of the region's junior stars. The Meyer Sauerman … [Read more...] about Schools rugby this week
EP Grand Challenge Results
Despite their wariness about the Park challenge, PE SAPS stretched their unbeaten record to four matches when they defeated their old rivals 37-5 in the EP Grand Challenge on Saturday, 9 May. Park opened the scoring with an unconverted try in the early stages, but thereafter the policemen took over to eventually win fairly comfortably, maintaining their position as the main challengers to logleaders Despatch. Despatch shrugged off the away challenge offered by Kruisfontein to confirm their … [Read more...] about EP Grand Challenge Results
Will Rugby players stop leaving EP?
Four SARU Academies, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), were established in Border, Eastern Province, South Western Districts and Boland towards the end of 2012 with the objective of broadening the base of talented players in those regions and grooming them for elite rugby. This year, 14 players in the EP Kings’ match-22 and 10 players in the SWD squad that participated in the Absa Under-21 B Division final in Welkom were products of the SARU Academy Programme, … [Read more...] about Will Rugby players stop leaving EP?
SWD thump Eastern Province Sevens team
The SARU Under-18 Sevens tournament got off to a thrilling start on Monday at Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp with SWD, Boland and the Valke remaining unbeaten to stamp their authority on the opening day. SWD showed their class from the outset as they thumped Eastern Province 38-5 and then defeated Namibia 26-12 and the Leopards 21-14 to secure the top spot in their pool. EP Results: SWD 38 – 5 Eastern Province Leopards 38 – 33 Eastern Province Full Article and Results: SWD, … [Read more...] about SWD thump Eastern Province Sevens team
Currie Cup Log – Read it and weep
Finding ourselves with a few hours in hand the Longhair and I popped in to see the old Boet Erasmus Stadium. In a nod to the millions poured into the stadium and rugby we must also remember that the stadium was renamed Telkom Park. I am sure that you will agree with me, though that 'Battle of the Boet' has a better ring to it than 'Battle of the Telkom' or even 'Battle of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium'! Much like our present Currie Cup dreams the old Boet Erasmus Stadium lies in tatters as … [Read more...] about Currie Cup Log – Read it and weep
EP Queens (?) lose to Blue Bulls in Uitenhage
The EP Womens team lost narrowly to the Blue Bulls on Saturday in Uitenhage. Playing in the SARU Women's Interprovincial Series the local women lost out on meeting last years champion's Border in the final. The clash in Uitenhage was epic as the teams gave everything on attack and defence to emerge victorious. The battle was so close neither team was able to score points in the first half. Both teams, however, broke through for a try in the second half, but a penalty by the visitors to add to … [Read more...] about EP Queens (?) lose to Blue Bulls in Uitenhage
DHL Western Province 49 (21) EP Kings 14 (7)
DHL Western Province dominated their clash against the EP Kings from the outset thanks to a solid performance all around. Such was the high quality of their attack they scored seven converted tries to only two by the EP Kings, with the team having already secured their four-try bonus point in the 48th minute. An impressive brace of three tries in 11 minutes by the Cape side in the first half pushed them onto the front foot shortly after the first quarter, and with the players using their … [Read more...] about DHL Western Province 49 (21) EP Kings 14 (7)
