Eastern Province Rugby

Gardens were crowned worthy champions after beating PE Harlequins 27-13 in the EP Rugby Grand Challenge final played in slippery conditions at the Central City Stadium in Uitenhage last night.

The final was rescheduled after match officials had been unable to clear the Kemsley Park field following a pitch invasion after the main curtain- raiser on Saturday.

Gardens win coveted Grand Challenge trophy - Eastern Province Rugby Gardens were crowned worthy champions after beating PE Harlequins 27-13 in the EP Rugby Grand Challenge final played in slippery conditions at the Central City Stadium in Uitenhage last night.

Test Match for EP Rugby adds to 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 season with the scheduled return of the Southern Kings to Super Rugby in February,” said EPRU Executive member, Vernon Stuurman.
Stuurman said EP Rugby was looking forward to hosting yet another top calibre international team at the world class Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“This is yet another feather in the cap of EP Rugby, which has hosted a number of international rugby tests as well as the South African leg of the World Rugby Sevens tournament for four years, since our relocation to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium,” he said.
“The fact that SA Rugby has awarded this test match to EPRU for next year is also a vote of confidence from the national body in the ability of all the stakeholders involved to provide the necessary infrastructure and support for such a major event,” he said.
EPRU hosted the first ever sports match at the stadium in 2009, when the Southern Kings played the British and Irish Lions in front of 36,000 people. Since then EP Rugby has hosted Test matches between South Africa and New Zealand in 2011, SA and England in 2012 and SA vs Scotland in 2014. They also hosted a friendly between the EP Kings and Wales last year.
Stuurman said the Test would have a significant positive economic impact for the Eastern Cape region and encouraged the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds to come out in their numbers to support the event and help fill the stadium.
“Based on independent economic assessments the previous international events EP Rugby have hosted have generated in excess of a R1 billion for the region’s economy,” he said.
Stuurman said based on these assessments, a Test Match for the region could be expected to have an economic impact in excess of R150 million and create over 700 jobs.
“This does not even include the positive international exposure that is generated for the region as a sports tourism destination,” he said.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
EP KINGS VS GRIQUAS
KICK OFF: 15:00

1. Lizo Gqoboka
2. Martin Ferreira
3. Tom Botha
4. Tazz Fuzani
5. David Bulbring (VC)
6. Eital Bredenkamp
7. Thembelani Bholi
8. Tim Agaba
9. Kevin Luiters
10. Gary van Aswegan
11. Siyanda Grey
12. Shane Gates (C.)
13. Hansie Graaff
14. Siviwe Soyizwapi
15. Sylvian Mahuza

Replacements:

16. Mike van Vuuren
17. Charles Marais
18. Cameron Lindsay
19. Aidon Davis
20. Jaco Grobler
21. George Whitehead
22. Scott van Breda

MADIBAZ YOUNG GUNS DEFEAT STELLENBOSCH

THE FNB NMMU Madibaz Young Guns are on the verge of qualifying for the final of the Varsity Young Guns rugby competition, but face a tough challenge in their last fixture when they host UP-Tuks at NMMU on March 23 (7pm).

Following an outstanding 41-16 win over Stellenbosch University on Monday (March 16), the Young Guns need just one point to qualify for the final against University of Free State, who made it into the title round by defeating UP-Tuks on Monday. But they know they will be in for a tough fight against Tuks, who suffered their first ever loss in the competition on Monday.

Free State's Shimlas head the log on 20 points, followed by Madibaz on 15, and Tuks and UCT on 10 points.

A LOYAL YOUNG SUPPORTER AT THE GAME TONIGHT
Thank you for your support

FINAL SCORE: EP KINGS 13 LIONS 8

KICK OFF TIMES FOR SATURDAY, 14 MARCH 2015 at

14:30 Don’s Pawn Shop SAPS vs Durbanville-Belviille
17:00 EP Kings vs Golden Lions

FINAL SCORE
NMMU MADIBAZ YOUNG GUNS 44 - CUT 0
Congratulations on an exceptional performance!

EP Kings have confirmed that recently re-appointed Defence Coach, Omar Mouneimne, and the Kings have parted ways http://ow.ly/JDczX

EP Kings and Defence Coach part ways - Eastern Province Rugby EP Kings CEO, Charl Crous, said he was disappointed in Mouneimne’s decision to take up a consultation coaching position at Lyon in France, after...

Please note that the match Gardens vs Berlin Tigers will be played on the Rosedale field on Saturday 28 February 2015.

EC rugby schools have already begun prep for the season with the annual Graeme College Rugby Day around the corner http://ow.ly/JuT6J

Preparation in full swing for Graeme College Rugby Day - Eastern... EASTERN Cape’s rugby schools have already begun preparations for the forthcoming season and their first point of reference will be the annual...