Crisis talks between striking EP Kings players and SA Rugby Players' Association (Sarpa) officials will take place in Port Elizabeth this morning in a bid to defuse a simmering pay dispute. On Tuesday‚ Kings players had a meeting to discuss the non-payment of their salaries and decided against training. This has placed Eastern Province's Currie Cup match against the Lions on Saturday in jeopardy. EP Kings president Cheeky Watson shrugged off the player mutiny‚ saying he was "extremely … [Read more...] about Watson happy players ‘took a day off’
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EP Kings Players on Strike
"When poverty comes in the front door love leaves via the back door." Adding to the Eastern Province Kings woes are reports that the players did not turn up for practice this afternoon and have embarked on a strike action over unpaid wages. Earlier this season Eastern Province rugby boss Cheeky Watson and former head coach Carlos Spencer clashed over unpaid wages with Spencer resigning. At the end of July players lined up to receive envelopes of money after promises were made of a double … [Read more...] about EP Kings Players on Strike
Sharks beat Kings
The Sharks produced a strong second half performance to defeat the EP Kings 24-20 in their Absa Currie Cup Premier Division match at the Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth this evening. After trailing 13-7 at the break, the visitors dominated much of the second half, crossing for tries by Francois Kleinhans and Daniel du Preez, plus a penalty by Joe Pietersen, to forge a 24-13 lead with 20 minutes remaining. However, the Kings never stopped fighting and a brilliant backline move saw … [Read more...] about Sharks beat Kings
First win for EP Kings
Using a three-minute burst of scoring by centre Somila Jho, who crossed twice during that time, a determined EP Kings U21 side registered their first win in the Absa Provincial Championship this season by defeating the Sharks 25-15 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this afternoon. While the final scoreline looks comfortable, the Kings had to fight every inch of the way to keep their spirited opponents at bay, with the Sharks always looking threatening, even when they trailed … [Read more...] about First win for EP Kings
No Stopping EP’s Under 19s
The EP Kings used the platform of two tries in the first 10 minutes of the match to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in the Absa U19 Provincial Championship with a 26-7 win over the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth this afternoon. By adding a further two tries in the second half, the Kings picked up a bonus point and ensured they would stay top of the log after the latest round of fixtures in the competition. The Kings had the visitors under pressure from … [Read more...] about No Stopping EP’s Under 19s
Watson’s leg ‘alive’ to take on Sharks
EP Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has welcomed the return of experienced skipper Luke Watson to the team for their Absa Currie Cup Premier Division clash against the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (August 29). The veteran flank missed the Kings' game against the Pumas last weekend, which EP lost 15-13, and Janse van Rensburg is hoping his return introduces a sense of calm on the field as they chase their first win this season. Watson suffered a … [Read more...] about Watson’s leg ‘alive’ to take on Sharks
Sharks team to play EP Kings
Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold has named his team for their Currie Cup clash against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (17:05 kick-off). The backline which did duty against the Golden Lions at Kings Park last weekend has remained intact following no injury concerns. Up front, tighthead prop Gerhard Engelbrecht trades places with Thomas du Toit and will gain his first start of the campaign after playing two games off the bench. It is the … [Read more...] about Sharks team to play EP Kings
EP Kings still on top
The Eastern Province Kings Under-19 team remained top of the Absa Under-19 Provincial Championships this weekend even though they had a bye. With all teams now having played six matches, the Kings still top the table, The Vodacom Blue Bulls moved past DHL Western Province into second in Pretoria on Saturday by defeating the Cape side 41-32, while the Toyota Free State secured a first win by beating Leopards 51-28 in Potchefstroom. Free State's Ruan Wasserman contributed 26 points in the … [Read more...] about EP Kings still on top
Kings lose by Two
Pumas flyhalf JC Roos struck five penalties to give his team a narrow 15-13 win over the EP Kings in a nail-biting Absa Currie Cup encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening. The match ended in thrilling style as the Kings fought in vain for their first victory of the season. A breakout from their own tryline with minutes remaining saw them come within metres of scoring their second try of the evening. However, the Pumas defence held firm and an attempted … [Read more...] about Kings lose by Two
Watson out against Pumas
The EP Kings team to play the Pumas in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening has undergone a few changes. Luke Watson and Stefan Willemse have been withdrawn due to leg injuries. Unfortunately they have not responded to treatment as the team management had hoped they would and have thus been replaced so as to not risk them the remainder of our Currie cup campaign. Cameron Lindsay has replaced Stefan Willemse on the bench, while Thembelani Bholi has been moved to the starting line up in place of … [Read more...] about Watson out against Pumas
Kings could give the Pumas a hard time
After the Golden Lions put them to the sword over the weekend, the Pumas will look to get their Currie Cup campaign back on track when they travel to Port Elizabeth where they will face the EP Kings on Friday (19:00 kick-off in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium). Pumas coach MJ Mentz admits it will not be an easy task against a Kings side that came close to upsetting the Sharks in Durban last weekend. The Kings turned in a gutsy performance against the KwaZulu-Natal side before going down … [Read more...] about Kings could give the Pumas a hard time
EP Kings hit by injuries ahead of Pumas Game
Injuries have forced EP Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg to make three changes to the starting line-up for their Absa Currie Cup match against the Pumas at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday (August 21, kick-off 19.00). Two of them occur in the backline, with centre Tim Whitehead out through concussion and flyhalf George Whitehead suffering from a bang on the knee. This has resulted in experienced centre Ronnie Cooke returning to the starting line-up at outside … [Read more...] about EP Kings hit by injuries ahead of Pumas Game
Three forward changes for Pumas side against Kings
The Pumas have made three changes to the side that will face the EP Kings in their Absa Currie Cup clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday. Prop Corne Fourie will start his first match of the season scrumming down at loosehead with Khwezi Mona shifting to tighthead in place of De-Jay Terblanche. Jason-Colin Fraser earns a starting berth at No 8 in place of Lambert Groenewald, while lock Rudi Matthee will feature in the run-on side for Giant Mtyanda, who shifts … [Read more...] about Three forward changes for Pumas side against Kings
EP Kings Sponsorship Deal
As the Kings franchise looks forward to a significant period in its history, EP Rugby chief executive Charl Crous announced a three-year clothing sponsorship deal with BLK South Africa, beginning in 2016. The sponsorship will coincide with the Southern Kings' return to Super Rugby in 2016 and both parties are excited about the journey which lies ahead for rugby in the Eastern Cape region. "This is the start of a new chapter for the Kings as we take up our permanent position within Super Rugby, … [Read more...] about EP Kings Sponsorship Deal
EP Kings Top of the Log
The EP Kings continued their excellent form in the Absa U19 Provincial Championship on Saturday when they outplayed the Cell C Sharks 34-24 in Durban, claiming their sixth consecutive win and beating all the other teams in the first half of the competition. They top the log which sees the Toyota Free State and Cell C Sharks teams propping up the rest of the teams. The Leopards, currently in fifth, shocked the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, scoring 19 unanswered points in the … [Read more...] about EP Kings Top of the Log
