Friday 30 January 2015

EP Kings Vodacom Cup squad

The EP Kings have announced a 38 man squad today for the 2015 Vodacom Cup campaign.

Notable new additions among the squad are Cornell Hess and Dylan Frylinck, who have both secured contracts for the Vodacom Cup season following trials earlier this month, as well as Vukile Sofisa and Sphu Msuthwana who move up from last year’s U21 squad and CJ Velleman, who captained the U19 squad last year.

Also named in the squad are new signings Tazz Fuzani, Jan Uys, Eital Bredenkamp and Tony Jantjies.

Injured players who are not expected to be available for the Vodacom Cup competition include Darron Nell (neck), Charl du Plessis (neck), Dwayne Jenner (ACL) and Samora Fihlani (Knee).

Vodacom Cup Head Coach, Mzwandile Stick said he was happy with the condition of the players, saying they had worked hard during the off season and in pre-season training.

“We have a great group of players, with a good combination of both senior and young up and coming talent,” he said.

Stick said the focus was now on introducing more rugby specific elements to the training sessions, and developing the game plan for the campaign.

“We will also be working hard to maintain the fitness of the players and getting their skills level up ahead of the competition,” he said.

Stick said he was confident ahead of the Vodacom Cup, but would be taking the competition one game at a time.

“We have the best possible players to select from, including all those who played Currie Cup Premier Division last year, so we are very confident going into this competition, we want to win it,” he said.

“We want to build on last year and get the players’ confidence up ahead of the Currie Cup season this year,” Stick said.

The Squad is:

Forwards:

Charles Marais, Vukile Sofisa, Lizo Gqoboka, Michael van Vuuren, Martin Ferreira, Edgar Marutlulle, Simon Kerrod, Tom Botha, CJ van der Linde, David Bulbring, Cornell Hess, Cameron Lindsay, Tazz Fuzani, Jan Uys, Shaun McDonald, Eital Bredenkamp, CJ Velleman, Thembelani Bholi, Paul Schoeman, Stefan Willemse, Tim Agaba, Aidon Davis, Luke Watson.

Backs:

Kevin Luiters, Dylan Frylinck, Jaco Grobler, Gary van Aswegen, Tony Jantjies, George Whitehead, Siyanda Grey, Marlou van Niekerk, Sphu Msuthwana, Shane Gates, Tim Whitehead, Ronnie Cooke, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Scott van Breda, Hansie Graaff.

Monday 26 January 2015

New tournament for clubs in Northern Areas

Eastern Province Rugby’s Port Elizabeth Sub Union has launched a new rugby tournament for clubs in and around the Northern Areas as a response to the current wave of violent gang activity that is sweeping through the area.

The tournament, which will be known as the Super 14, will see 14 rugby clubs play against each other in a single round, starting this weekend at the Adcock Stadium and concluding at the end of March.

“We chose the Northern Areas deliberately to showcase the brilliant sporting talent that comes from this area, despite all the violence that has featured so prominently in the media recently,” said PE Sub Union Chairman, Stag Mitchell.

“We believe that sport can bring communities together and, through this tournament, we are extending a hand to the Northern Areas community to show them that there are other options to youngsters, other than this violence,” he said. “At the same time we are also showing the rest of Port Elizabeth that there is more to the Northern Areas than gangs and violence.”

Mitchell said the tournament would kick off with a family day of rugby at the Adcock Stadium, with the first match between Booysens Pride and Young Collegians kicking off at 1pm.

“This tournament is also a tribute to the players who have come before and who have gone on to make a success from their rugby careers, the likes of Desmond Booysen from Arcadia, the best wing to ever don the SARU jersey, Desmond Kramer from Gelvandale, who became the ultimate Springbok warrior and SARU powerhouse, Peter Slabbert, EP and SARU captain from Windvogel Rugby Club and Harold Wilson, former president of both  EP and SARU and honorary vice president of EP, from the Shauderville community,” he said. 

Mitchell said the tournament was geared at renewing the passion for rugby in the area.

“This tournament will showcase the clubs from these communities and hopefully act as a catalyst to guide our sons back to sport and away from other influences, we therefore appeal to the community to come out in support of this tournament and enjoy the rugby with our players.”

The clubs participating in the competition are:

Group A:

African Bombers, St Marks, Suburban, Gelvan Wallabies, Missionvale, Kwaru, Glen Roses

Group B:

PE Harlequins, Parks, Booysen Pride, Young Collegians, Motherwell, Zwide and Helenvale

Date: 31 January
Venue: Adcock Stadium

13:00: Booysens Pride vs Young Collegians

14:10: African Bombers vs Kwaru

15:30: Parks vs Motherwell

17:00: St Marks vs Missionvale

19:00: Suburban vs Gelvan Wallabies

21:00: PE Harlequins vs Zwide

BYE:  Glen Roses and Helenvale

Date: 7 February
Venue: Keinskool

14:00: Glen Roses vs Missionvale

15:30: Bombers vs Gelvan Wallabies

17:00: St Marks vs Suburban

BYE: Kwaru

Date: 7 February
Venue: Adcock Stadium

14:00: Helenvale vs Motherwell

15:30: Parks vs Booysens Pride

17:00: PE Harlequins vs Young Collegians

BYE: Zwide

Date: 14 February
Venue: Wolfson

14:00: Kwaru vs Gelvan Wallabies

15:30: Glen Roses vs Suburban

17:00: African Bombers vs St Marks

BYE: Missionvale

Date: 14 February
Venue: Adcock Stadium

14:00: Zwide vs Young Collegians

15:30: Helenvale vs Booysens Pride

17:00: PE Harlequins vs Parks

BYE: Motherwell

Date: 21 February
Venue: Missionvale

14:00: Kwaru vs St Marks

15:30: Glen Roses vs African Bombers

17:00: Missionvale vs Suburban

BYE: Gelvan Wallabies

Date: 21 February
Venue: Wolfson

14:00: Helenvale vs PE Harlequins

15:30: Motherwell vs Booysens Pride

17:00: Zwide vs Parks

BYE: Young Collegians

Date: 28 February
Venue: Dan Queque

14:00: Gelvan Wallabies vs St Marks

15:30: Missionvale vs African Bombers

17:00: Kwaru vs Glen Roses

BYE: Suburban

Date: 28 February
Venue: Londt Park

14:00: Zwide vs Helenvale

15:30: Motherwell vs PE Harlequins

17:00: Young Collegians vs Parks

BYE: Booysens Pride

Date: 7 March
Venue: Adcock Stadium

14:00: Suburban vs African Bombers

15:30: Missionvale vs Kwaru

17:00: Gelvan Wallabies vs Glen Roses

BYE: St Marks

Date: 7 March
Venue: Wolfson

14:00: Booysens Pride vs PE Harlequins

15:30: Young Collegians vs Helenvale

17:00: Motherwell vs Zwide

BYE: Parks

Date: 14 March
Venue: Adcock

14:00: Suburban vs Kwaru

15:30: Missionvale vs Gelvan Wallabies

17:00: St Marks vs Glen Roses

BYE: African Bombers

Date: 14 March
Venue: Wolfson

14:00: Parks vs Helenvale

15:30: Booysens Pride vs Zwide

17:00: Young Collegians vs Motherwell

BYE: Harlequins

Date: 21 March
Venue: Adcock Stadium

15:00: A 1 vs B 2

16:30: B 1 vs A 2

Date: 28 March
Venue: Adcock

15:00: 3rd AND 4th PLACE

16:00: FINAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 22 January 2015

Tough challenge awaits Madibaz in opener

A tough challenge awaits the FNB NMMU Madibaz, in the opening round of this years Varsity Cup, when they face the FNB NWU-Pukke at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Pothefstroom on the 9th of February.

The last time these two teams met was in last years semi-final, where Pukke kicked a penalty in the dying seconds to give them a 19 - 18 win and a place in the final.

"Playing Pukke away in the first game will be a huge test, as they are a team we’ve never beaten since the inception of Varsity Cup," said newly appointed captain, Jarred Buys.

"We obviously want to take it one game at a time, especially with the first game being such a vital one, and then look to qualify for a semi again," he added.

The Old Selbornian, who has also represented the Leopards and SWD Eagles Currie Cup squads, said his men had some serious work to do in order to advance their ambitions.

 “I’d be lying if I said we weren’t aiming to win it but first there are seven hurdles that lie in wait before the play-offs.”

As in 2014, Madibaz lost out on a spot in the final as they went down 15 - 16 to Maties in 2013.

“We still don’t have that Varsity Cup trophy in our cabinet, so that’s keeping my hunger alive,” said Buys.

Fans will also be able to book a ringside seat for the 2015 Varsity Cup with a new season ticket package.

Ticket holders will also be entitled to reserved parking at the Madibaz Stadium on the NMMU South Campus and receive a branded Varsity Cup supporters’ T-shirt or vest, with access to vendor services in the main pavilion.

According to NMMU deputy director of sport Petrus Boukes, the university had made a limited run of 1 000 season tickets available.

Season ticket holders will receive entrance to all four of the Port Elizabeth team’s home games, plus bonus tickets should NMMU’s Varsity Cup and Young Guns teams go through to the play-offs and finals.

The four home games include, CUT on the 16th of February (4.45pm) followed by UJ on the 2nd of March (4.45pm), UFS-Shimlas on the 9th of March (7pm) and UP-Tuks on 23 March (6.30pm).

The season ticket costs R200 per person. To buy tickets or supporters’ gear, contact the University Shop on 041 504 4371.

Exciting Home Fixtures for Kings

Please note that these are provisional fixtures and dates are subject to change. Final fixtures, including kick off times, will be confirmed closer to each tournament.


Pre Season Friendlies

06 Mar: EP Kings vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs

14 Mar: EP Kings vs Emirates Golden Lions 

Vodacom Cup
21 Mar: EP Kings vs Tusker Simbas (Kenya)
11 Apr: EP Kings vs DHL Western Province
25 Apr: EP Kings vs SWD
08 May: EP Kings vs Natal

Mid Season Friendlies

25 Jul: EP Kings vs DHL Western Province

07 Aug: EP Kings vs Vodacom Blue Bulls

ABSA Currie Cup
15 Aug: EP Kings vs Emirates Golden Lions 
29 Aug: EP Kings vs Steval Pumas
05 Aug: EP Kings vs Cell C Sharks
26 Sep: EP Kings vs Toyota Free State Cheetahs
17 Oct: EP Kings vs Currie Cup Qualifier

EP Rugby releases provisional fixtures for 2015

EP Rugby supporters in Nelson Mandela Bay are in for a feast of top class rugby this year based on the provisional fixtures list recently made available. 


The EP Kings are currently preparing for the Vodacom Cup tournament, which officially kicks off on the weekend of the 21st of March, with a home match against Kenya at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

 In preparation, the Kings have lined up two pre-season friendlies ahead of the tournament, playing the Cheetahs on the 6th of March and the Golden Lions on the 14th of March at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.


“We are still waiting on final confirmation on dates and times from SA Rugby, but we now know which teams we will be playing on which weekend,” said EP Rugby CEO, Charl Crous.

Crous said the EP Kings will play four of their seven Vodacom Cup matches at home this year, playing against Kenya’s Tusker Simba (21 March), DHL Western Province (11 April), SWD (25 April) and Natal (8 May) at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium. Away games include Border (28 March), Free State (18 April) and Boland (2 May).


Supporters can also expect an action packed Currie Cup Premier Division line up, with the Kings once again taking on the top provincial teams as they enter their final preparations for Super Rugby next year.

Crous said they had lined up two mid season friendlies ahead of the tournament, playing DHL Western Province on the 25th of July and the Vodacom Blue Bulls on the 7th of August.


The Kings kick off their ABSA Currie Cup campaign with a home game playing against arch rivals, the Emirates Golden Lions, on the weekend of the 15th of August.

They play a total of five home games in the ABSA Premier Division, including the Emirates Golden Lions (15 August), the Steval Pumas (29 August), the Cell C Sharks (5 September) the Toyota Cheetahs (26 September) and the still to be determined qualifier (17 October).

Away games will be against the Cell C Sharks (22 August), the Emirates Golden Lions (12 September), the Steval Pumas (19 September), DHL Western Province (3 October) and the Vodacom Blue Bulls (10 October).


“Adding to the excitement, both EP U19 and U21 teams have secured their spot in the respective premier divisions, meaning supporters will be treated to two curtain raisers for four out of five home games during the Currie Cup competition,” said Crous.

“This means that our supporters will be treated to a festival of rugby at our Currie Cup home games, with these curtain raisers giving us the opportunity to showcase the amazing up and coming talent of this region,” he said.


Crous also encouraged supporters to show their support for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Varsity Cup team, the NMMU Madibaz, who kick off their 2015 FNB Varsity Cuppresented by Steinhoff campaign on the 16th of February.

Monday 19 January 2015

EP Craven Week player off to New Zealand

Former Eastern Province Craven Week and SA Schools prop Lupumlo Mguca, is being provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to finish his studies at the prestigious Burnside High School  in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Mguca will be leaving for New Zealand later this week on a scholarship, provided by the SA Rugby EP Kings Academy and funded through the generous sponsorship of BLG Logistics, along with support from the EP Rugby Union.

On his arrival in New Zealand, Mguca will complete four of his matric subjects, while taking part in an extensive rugby programme offered through the school. He will then return next year, where he will complete his matric in line with the Kings Academy Programme.

Burnside High School is the largest secondary school in the South Island of New Zealand. It is a co-ed school with an established reputation for academic excellence, with 2,600 registered students including international students from more than 45 different countries.

“This is an amazing opportunity for a local boy from Swartkops Valley Motherwell, to experience the culture of New Zealand, and be schooled and coached by some of New Zealand’s top coaches.

“The first scrumming coaching session is going to be taken by the legendry Mike Cron the All Black scrum guru,” said Academy Manager, Robbi Kempson.

Kempson said Mguca would be staying in a Homestay programme while in New Zealand – where exchange students are placed with a local family– being placed with the school’s first team coach’s family.

“This is a great opportunity for him, No other school in New Zealand offers such a full programme to develop their students rugby abilities. The number of hours of high-level skills training and weights is basically the same as for a professional player,” he said.

Kempson said Mguca would be able to stay in touch with his family through a dedicated Facebook page that was set up for daily updates, as well as through regular Skype calls.

“From the Kings Academy perspective, I think it is a once in a life time opportunity for a very talented young man,” said Kempson.

Thursday 15 January 2015

Former Super Rugby coaches return

With the Kings return to Super Rugby looming on the not too distant horizon, a few familiar faces have returned to the Kings coaching staff as they begin the preparations for the 2015 season.

Defence coach, Omar Mouneimne, who played a crucial role in making the Southern Kings one of the toughest teams defensively in the 2013 competition, has once again taken up the role of defence coach, and has already begun training with the 2015 Vodacom Cup squad alongside Vodacom Cup head coach, Mzwandile Stick.

“It is wonderful to be back and to be part of the preparations for the Kings return to Super Rugby,” he said.

“We achieved great things in the build up to Super Rugby, going undefeated in the Currie Cup in 2012 and achieved so much during the Kings debut Super Rugby season and it is really a privilege to be back and to be able to contribute,” he said.

Mouneimne said there was a lot of hard work ahead of the players ahead of the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup season.

“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, with a strong focus on improving our technical levels. We have a great group of players that need to work hard, stay humble and aim for excellence on the field,” he said

Former Southern Kings physiotherapist James Fleming has also returned to the EP Kings structures as Head of High Performance, with the focus on overseeing the Strength and Conditioning, Physio, Rehab and Medical departments and reporting directly to Head Coach, Carlos Spencer.

“I loved my previous experience being a part of the Kings structures and the lifestyle here in Nelson Mandela Bay. So, when the opportunity arose to come back and help build towards the Kings re-entry into Super Rugby, the lifestyle that Nelson Mandela Bay offered our young family played an important factor,” he said.

“It is really a great opportunity and I’m very excited to be back,” he said.

Fleming said his role would entail streamlining the interactions between the various departments under him to provide better support to both players and coaching staff.

“The aim is to ensure that the high performance departments provide the coaches with better conditioned, healthier players and ensure that there are as many fit, able bodied players available at any given time. This is achieved by providing the players with the best possible support in both their conditioning and throughout any rehabilitation they may require,” he said.

After leaving the Kings in 2013, Fleming was based at the Sharks, where he fulfilled a coaching role, which he feels has given him valuable experience that can add to his new position at the Kings.

“I learnt a lot from the Sharks and have a new understanding of what coaching staff require from the players, which has given me new insights that will be beneficial in this new role,” he said.