SA Rugby confirmed on Thursday that the operations and participation of the Southern Kings in Vodacom Super Rugby would be unaffected by an application to liquidate EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd. The action was brought by the South African Rugby Players' Association (SARPA) on behalf of a number of players over unpaid salaries. The application was triggered by what SARPA described as the recent "preferential treatment of creditors" by EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd. "This action has no implications for the … [Read more...] about Liquidation application against EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd
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Disgraceful treatment of EP Kings contracted players must be challenged
Dear MyPE The disgraceful treatment of the EP Kings contracted players cannot go unchallenged. It is common knowledge that the players have not been paid since the end of September and that payment of their salaries prior to this has been haphazard and unreliable. These are young men with young families who week after week, month after month have put their bodies on the line for our Province. This heartless treatment of professional sportsmen who have a very brief window period to play … [Read more...] about Disgraceful treatment of EP Kings contracted players must be challenged
Ex Southern Kings Coach Extends contract
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons has signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until June 2017. The Port Elizabeth Grey High School educated Alan Solomons was employed as a high performance consultant for the IRB from 2007 to 2011 before taking Eastern Province to three successive Currie Cup division one finals (winning the Cup in 2010 and 2012) and lifting the IRB Nations Cup under the guise of shadow international side, the South Africa Kings. Then came the … [Read more...] about Ex Southern Kings Coach Extends contract
EP Kings Players Fund
A lot of nasty comments are being made about the EP Rugby Union management and the current financial mess that EP Rugby is in. Players and staff have not been paid and run the real risk of losing their homes, cars and possessions as some of them struggle to put food on the table. The crisis only gets worse as Daniel Cheeky Watson flies all over the world trying to put that elusive R200 Million sponsorship deal together. A word from the wise to Cheeky; "Negotiate from a point of strength … [Read more...] about EP Kings Players Fund
Watsons Must Fall
Dear MyPE and all EP Kings Players, Officials and Supporters, In the hope that the Financial crisis would be averted, the NMB Ratepayers Association withheld a High Court Application for a period of 8 weeks prior to serving it last week against the NMBM, Access Management and certain Metro officials in order to bring an end to the mismanagement in EP Rugby. We have held meetings with Cheeky Watson, various Clubs, EP Board Members, and have been in contact with SARU, SARPA, players agents and … [Read more...] about Watsons Must Fall
Dear Bulls – Please grow your own
Speculation is rife that three more players from the embattled Kings franchise could join the Bulls in the near future. The Kings are in dire financial straits, and with the EP Rugby Union struggling to play their players, a few have opted to leave the union. (See: Cheeky Watson on SARU 'Takeover') The Bulls have already signed prop Lizo Gqoboka and wing Luther Obi from the Kings and have now set their sights on wing Sylvian Mahuza as well as loose forwards Thembelani Bholi and Tim … [Read more...] about Dear Bulls – Please grow your own
SARU assumes control of broke Kings
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Tuesday agreed to assist the Eastern Province Rugby Union by taking control of the Southern Kings franchise in Vodacom Super Rugby. The action followed through a decision taken by the Executive Council of SARU some weeks ago to step into the Kings’ affairs if certain expectations were not realised. The decision was actioned as a result of the on-going cash flow problems at the Union after the president of EP, Mr Cheeky Watson, contacted Mr Oregan … [Read more...] about SARU assumes control of broke Kings
Two more Kings Players Leave
Eastern Province Rugby have confirmed that pre-season preparations began on Monday, 16 November 2015 with a practice session at Sardinia Bay. Training focused on establishing fitness levels and included a game of touch rugby. The program for the rest of the week will focus on strength and conditioning training. "Despite the trying circumstances the mood in the camp was positive. Management and players are aware of the current situation and have not allowed circumstances to impact on their … [Read more...] about Two more Kings Players Leave
Could we be going French?
Media reports say that Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has offered to buy the cash-strapped Southern Kings. The Port Elizabeth based Kings are set to return to Super Rugby in the expanded 18-team competition from 2016, but the franchise has been experiencing major financial problems with ongoing reports of wage issues. Issues about unpaid wages first surfaced in July, and EP Kings players were reported to have gone on strike when similar problems arose in August. Overdue payments were … [Read more...] about Could we be going French?
No let up for Kings’ financial worries
Unpaid player wages continue to mar the cash-strapped Eastern Province Rugby Union. According to SA Rugbymag, the union is facing a deadline from the South African Rugby Players Association (SARPA) to make player payments by Tuesday. After problems over payments arose again at the end of October, SARPA issued a written 10-day notice for the Kings to pay outstanding salaries or face action against them. The cash-strapped union was unable to pay players for several months earlier in the … [Read more...] about No let up for Kings’ financial worries
A Bumper 2016 rugby season
The confirmation by SA Rugby last week that the Eastern Province Rugby Union will host the third test match against Current Six Nations champions Ireland has added to what was already going to be a bumper 2016 rugby season. SARU announced on Friday that the third leg of the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Ireland would take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on the 25th of June next year. "The Test Match is an exciting addition to what was already going to be a bumper 2016 rugby … [Read more...] about A Bumper 2016 rugby season
About that R35 Million Academy Funding and Pending EP Rugby Sponsorship
EP Rugby says that they have noted the article in Die Burger this morning (6 November 2015) over the matter of funding for the Kings Academy raised by Minister Fikile Mbalula. "The SARU Kings Academy is one of four Rugby Academies that were established by SA Rugby with funding received from the National Lotteries Board," said EPRU Executive Member, Vernon Stuurman. "The other three academies are based at the Border, SWD and Boland rugby unions," he said. Stuurman said all four … [Read more...] about About that R35 Million Academy Funding and Pending EP Rugby Sponsorship
Great Final Victory for EP Kings Under 19
Before the final game against the Blue Bulls at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, the EP Kings Under 19 Team captain, Jeremy Ward, had some prophetic words to say; "At the beginning of the season we set our goals and the team knew that if we really wanted to achieve something we would have to go out and win this competition, So, the team has really put everything in it, game in and game out we tried hard and fought hard in every minute of every game to try and achieve something great and … [Read more...] about Great Final Victory for EP Kings Under 19
I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream “Under 19”
Having dominated the league phase, the EP Kings will be looking to put the finishing touches to a superb season when they clash with the Blue Bulls in the Absa Provincial Championship U19 rugby final at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday (October 24), kicking off at 09.30. What will have coach Mzwandile Stick's charges aware of the challenge that faces them is that the Blue Bulls were the only team to lower their colours during the league phase. That will have them completely … [Read more...] about I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream “Under 19”
Kings team unchanged for big one against Bulls
The EP Kings have named an unchanged starting line-up for the Absa Provincial Championship U19 rugby final against the Blue Bulls in Johannesburg on Saturday (October 24). The only change to the squad comes on the bench where scrumhalf Sibusiso Ngcokovane returns among the replacements in place of Davron Cameron. Ngcokovane was a late withdrawal from last week's squad for the semifinal against Free State. The Kings registered their third win of the season over the Free Staters at Nelson … [Read more...] about Kings team unchanged for big one against Bulls
