The EP Elephants kicked off their 2025 SA Cup campaign with a hard-fought 41-30 loss to Valke in Kempton Park on Saturday. Despite commanding a 22-14 lead at halftime, the Elephants couldn’t hold off a determined Valke side in the second half. The Elephants showcased their attacking flair, crossing the line for four tries. Wing Rodney Damons led the charge with a brace, while centre Troy Delport and fullback Jayden Bantom each added one. Flyhalf Chris Humphries contributed the remaining … [Read more...] about EP Elephants 41-30
ep rugby
Cheeky Watson Arrest – Connect the Dots
Some of this may be smoke, some may be fire..... Former EP rugby president Cheeky Watson along with Nadia Gerwel, Andrea Wessels, Mandisa Mkaza and Stephan Pretorius were arrested by the Hawks this morning on charges of fraud or corruption. Lets go back to 2012 and start connecting some dots: The MBay Megafest scheduled for 2 June 2012 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was cancelled on 28 May 2012. See: … [Read more...] about Cheeky Watson Arrest – Connect the Dots
EP Kings confirm provisional liquidation order
EP Rugby officially confirmed today that a provisional liquidation order was granted by Judge Eksteen in the Port Elizabeth High Court this morning - Thursday 10 March 2016. The provisional court order means EP Rugby Pty Ltd have until the 10th of May to address the current financial challenges being faced. It is important to note that the provisional liquidation does not impact on the day to day operations of the Pty Ltd in any way. This means that EP Rugby Pty Ltd will continue with … [Read more...] about EP Kings confirm provisional liquidation order
EP Rugby comment on disrupted AGM
The Eastern Province Rugby Union held its AGM yesterday afternoon, with 97 of the 119 clubs in attendance. The AGM started at 12:00pm but was disrupted shortly afterwards by a small group of disgruntled clubs, led by suspended executive member, Chico Februarie. Following the initial disruption, the AGM was adjourned while delegates from SA Rugby, led by deputy president Mark Alexander, Members from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, (DSRAC) as well as Eastern Cape … [Read more...] about EP Rugby comment on disrupted AGM
EP Rugby an unmitigated disaster
Former Southern Spears CEO Tony McKeever has hit out at the administration of the Eastern Province Rugby Union. The EP Rugby Union is in dire straits with players not receiving their salaries the last few months. With the Kings set to play Super Rugby next season, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) opted to step in and take control of matters. It is believed that SARU has identified around 22 Kings players who will be offered contracts on Wednesday, while the remaining players in the … [Read more...] about EP Rugby an unmitigated disaster
Scuffle before EP Players hand over petition
EP Rugby President Cheeky Watson and members of the union's executive held a meeting with a group of Kings Rugby players, who handed over a petition at the union's offices in Port Elizabeth on Monday morning. Before the meeting, an unfortunate scuffle between members of the Transformation Coalition and security staff took place, after the members of the coalition tried to force their way onto the premises. Both the EP Rugby administration and the players distanced themselves from the … [Read more...] about Scuffle before EP Players hand over petition
Third Player leaves as EP Rugby is in breach of contract
The Eastern Province Rugby Union releases a second statement on Friday and; "..noted that there continues to be a large amount of speculation over players that are leaving the Union." Aside from Tim Whitehead and Lizo Gqoboka, who were confirmed as leaving yesterday, the EP Kings have confirmed that Tim Agaba has now also given notice of his intent to leave the Kings. These are the only three players that have currently given notice. As stated on Thursday, SARPA advised players that EP … [Read more...] about Third Player leaves as EP Rugby is in breach of contract
So are we going back to the days of the Boet?
Back in 2008 the Longhair and I sniffed a resurgence in Eastern Province Rugby - and often formed part of the Boet Erasmus / Telkom Park media crowd stomping on the sidelines or sitting up in the ether of the media box quietly hoping and praying that the stream of schoolboy players to other provinces would stop and the tide would turn in our favour. Pity we forgot that "Man does not live on Provincial Pride alone" - a little bit of bread with some stringy bits of meat is what keeps that tummy … [Read more...] about So are we going back to the days of the Boet?
Support for Cheeky Watson’s 3rd term
The Eastern Province Rugby Union's PE Metro Sub Union has declared their candidates list for the upcoming elections which will take place on 29 November 2014. Speaking at a press conference today PE Metro Sub Union President, Stag Mitchell, said they were in full support of president Cheeky Watson to stand for a third term in office. Alongside Watson, the Port Elizabeth Sub Union have put forward Phillip Joseph as Deputy President and Freddie Makoki as Vice President. For the various … [Read more...] about Support for Cheeky Watson’s 3rd term
Spinning to help schools
The Eastern Province Rugby Union and Virgin Active Greenacres teamed up this week to assist schools from previously disadvantaged areas with spinning bikes for their sports departments. Virgin Active Greenacres, who have recently upgraded their Spinning Bike facilities, donated 38 of their old bikes, valued at around R15,000 each, to EPRU, specifically to assist with development. The spinning bikes will be shared amongst seven high schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay area, namely … [Read more...] about Spinning to help schools
Have you got your rugby tickets yet?
Nelson Mandela Bay sports fans can expect an action-packed upcoming rugby season as months of planning and lobbying for top flight rugby in the city bear fruit. From June, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host an International friendly, an International Test match, Currie Cup Premier Division games and two Super Rugby friendlies. On June 10th the EP Kings will be playing Wales; the Springboks take on Scotland on June 28 while the Southern Kings play the Bulls XV on June 20 and the Cell … [Read more...] about Have you got your rugby tickets yet?
Meet Sharief Gamiet – New Eastern Province Rugby Union General Manager
The new Eastern Province Rugby Union General Manager Sharief Gamiet is a graduate of the International Centre of Sports Studies (CIES) and Fifa Sport Management Programme facilitated by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Gamiet, who graduated cum laude from the year-long, block-release certificate programme in 2013, took up his new post on 1 March. "The roof of my house nearly came down on us when I received news of the appointment," said Gamiet, who has a wealth of sports administrative … [Read more...] about Meet Sharief Gamiet – New Eastern Province Rugby Union General Manager
Tiger Mangweni on his move to coach EP Rugby
Tiger fields questions from the media about his move to coaching and identifies some high and lowlights from his playing career. Rugy writing stalwarts Michael Green and George Byron (black shirt) can be seen in the left of the image. Mangweni said it had been tough for him to make the decision to move across to coaching, as he would not be able to join his teammates on the field during games anymore, but that it had been a decision that he had been thinking about for quite some time. … [Read more...] about Tiger Mangweni on his move to coach EP Rugby
EP Rugby’s 2013 player of the year
Ronnie Cooke has been crowned Eastern Province Rugby's Player of the Year for 2013, after what has undoubtedly been a very long rugby season. "There can be no doubt that 2013 has been one of the most challenging as well as one of the most exciting years that EP Rugby has been through in recent history, and it would not have been possible without the courage, commitment and determination of the players," said CEO Charl Crous. Crous said that the awards, which were handed out yesterday at an … [Read more...] about EP Rugby’s 2013 player of the year
Matt Sexton returns to New Zealand
Matt Sexton, who has been with Eastern Province Rugby since June 2012, will finish up at the union this month. Sexton, who joined the union to assist them in their preparations for their debut entry into Super Rugby, has decided to return home for personal reasons. "This has been a very difficult decision for me, but due to personal reasons, I have had to make the difficult choice to return home to my family in New Zealand. The circumstances back home requires me to be there" he … [Read more...] about Matt Sexton returns to New Zealand
