The EP Kings will not have the opportunity to resolve the disputed points issue in time to participate in the Vodacom Cup Finals for 2011.
The EP Kings played eight league games this year, logging a record of six wins and two losses, including six bonus point performances. Despite this record, the Kings will not be appearing in the quarter finals of the Vodacom Cup.
The original complaint was made by the Mpumalanga Rugby Union, on the grounds that hooker Hannes Franklin and scrumhalf Jacques Coetzee were used by EPRU without clearance certificates as required by Regulation 4.2 of the Player Status, Player Contracts and Player Movements. The EP Rugby Union were found guilty by an independent judiciary officer of breaching SARU regulations by fielding two players in four matches (two in the Vodacom Cup for EP Kings and two friendlies for the Southern Kings) earlier this year. The EPRU launched, and subsequently lost, a formal appeal against the ruling.
In a separate judgment made this week, an independent judiciary officer found no compelling reason to deny the release of the players in question and ordered their clearances. This judgment has now been appealed by the Pumas.
To date, the players in question have not received the correct clearance certificates needed to play.
“Of course it is highly disappointing, particularly for our players who have worked so hard and deserve their shot at a Vodacom Cup Title” said Head Coach Alan Solomons.
CEO Anele Pamba says “there is always a price to pay for success. The Pumas going to these great lengths to interfere can only mean that we are headed in the right direction. We will continue on our aggressive growth path and accept that people will be threatened by our progress.”
The Kings have been given the week off to recover and will reconvene next week for training. The next game will be an exhibition match held against an Invitational Team on June 4th at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Alan Straton
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