Welcome back

After an absence of twelve years Eastern Province will make their long awaited return to South Africa's most prestigious rugby competition, the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, when they face Western Province tonight at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Eastern Province has been on the rise since 2010, after changing their name from the Mighty Elephants to the EP Kings and also moving across from their beloved Boet Erasmus Stadium to the world class Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

Eastern Province has never been a union to compete against the likes of the Northern Transvaal, Western Province and Transvaal in the early years of the competition, but they have had their glory years.

The teams of 1974, 1979 and 1980 reached the semi final stages of the competition, but failed to beat Northern Transvaal in 1974 and 1979 and Western Province in 1980.

In 1993 they finished 3rd, and qualified to play in the Super 10 in 1994, but failed to win any of their group matches against Transvaal, Otago, North Harbour and Queensland.

Throughout the late 90's and early 2000's they failed to impress in the A Division of the competition and bottom of the log was a firmiliar place year after year.

Things started to look positive for the men in the red and black hoops when they qualified for the final of the ABSA Currie Cup 1st Division in 2007, but failed to beat SWD as they finished Runners Up.

A new era in Eastern Province Rugby started in 2010 as they started building for the Super Rugby. In the same year they won the ABSA Currie Cup 1st Division for the 1st time when they beat SWD. They were also given an opportunity to get promoted to the Premier Division but failed to beat the Pumas in a home and away promotion/relegation.

The following year they qualified again for the final, but went down to Boland. In 2012 they won the final against the Pumas after they've been relegated to the 1st Division.

In 2013 they were included in Super 15 competition at the expense of the Lions. The Southern Kings made history in their first match when they beat the Western Force at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. As many expected they did finish at the bottom of the log, but they did manage to beat the Rebels in Australia and the Highlanders at home, they also drew against the Brumbies in Australia, who ended up playing in the final.

The Kings will have 5 home fixtures in the 2014 ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division.

HOME FIXTURES:

DHL Western Province - 8 August

Xerox Lions - 30 August

Vodacom Blue Bulls - 12 September

Toyota Cheetahs - 20 September

Steval Pumas - 10 October