What's happening to rugby in the Eastern Cape?

"Eastern Province Rugby on the rise" and indeed they are, just look at how the EP Kings have been playing week in and week out in the First Division and also the Madibaz (NMMU) in the Varsity Cup. We also have two teams in the Community Cup in Despatch and African Bombers, and then there are the Southern Kings (EP Kings, Border and SWD Eagles) inclusion in arguably the worlds toughest provincial rugby competition.

EP Kings won the 1st Division in 2010 after loosing in the semi final the year before. They were runners up in 2011 when they lost to Boland, and regained the trophy in 2012 when they went unbeaten through the season only drawing their home and away games against the Pumas, the same team they managed to beat in the final.

Madibaz are building on their strong finish in last years Varsity Cup where they annihilated TUT Vikings in a 12 try thrashing with the final score 90-34, it was also Jaco Swanepoel's last game. He (Swanepoel) captained the side in 2011 and 2012 and was also rewarded Varsity Cup forward that rocks for 2012.
Swanepoel says that Varsity Cup is just getting better every year and it is really at a professional level if you take in account the conditioning, preparation for matches like post match analyses and the intensity of the games.

He also added;" it's by far the most organized competition that I've played in, I recommend any player that wants to compete at a higher level to start his career with the Varsity Cup. Varsity Cup is great"

Swanepoel is currently wearing the no8 jersey for Despatch in the Community Cup. He reckons the Community Cup will add new life to club rugby in the Eastern Cape, something new to play for. "Clubs in the Eastern Cape will get the opportunity to play against the best in the country, which will help to grow our rugby. There is suddenly a new interest in club rugby and it will help club rugby to reach new heights. It's a great competition and it will better our rugby in the Bay.

Despatch was included in the Community Cup which replaced the Club Champs in 2013 after finishing second on the log to NMMU. The Community Cup sees 20 of South Africa's top non varsity club teams battling it out in 52 matches across the country. The second team from Port Elizabeth or like they call it the "wild card" is African Bombers from Zwide, Evergreens represent SWD and Old Selbornians from Border. Another thing that makes the Community Cup unique is that there are no contracted players at provincial level in any of the club sides.

And then there is the BIG one, the Southern Kings playing in there debut season of Super Rugby. In the Southern Kings build up to their first game against the Western Force, I had the opportunity to catch up with Micheal Killian. Killian who left Eastern Province back in 2007 to pursue a career and it was a successful one with the Lions which included a Currie Cup trophy in 2011 decided to return to where it all started.
Killian was spotted in 2007 by the Lions when he was playing for NMMU.

Killian unfortunate broke his arm in practice and will be watching the first game from the stand, but he is hoping to be ready for the Sharks game on the 9th of March. Where some might be worried about the squad he says they have good depth in certain positions. On the "foreigners" he said they quite funny guys and especially a guy like Virgile Lacombe has no problem greeting you in Afrikaans and they've taken a liking to the language.

Killian spoke highly of their captain Luke Watson and regarded him a leader that inspires the team to lift their game. Watson is surly not a player they can afford to loose and in my opinion someone that will determine their success in the first year. Killian said they don't want to get ahead of themselves and will enter every game as a final. He also thinks they might have the element of surprise over certain teams, due to the fact that they a new team and there's little footage of them playing, but never down played the intensity of Super Rugby and the fact that they need to play 80min.

Another important thing Killian mentioned was the support and he said; "there is nothing worse then to play at an empty stadium". Definitely an area where we can help the team, get your tickets, your jerseys and flags and let's get to the stadium, they need the support and your support can help to lift their morale when they need it most. If you see the guys in public encourage them, an encouraging word goes a long way.

Southern Kings home fixtures:
23 Feb v Force
9 March v Sharks
15 March v Chiefs
20 April v Bulls
4 May v Waratahs
11 May v Highlanders
25 May v Cheetahs
6 July v Stormers