THE Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) continues its efforts of returning to its glory days and has been bolstered by the latest inclusion on the coaching staff of former Blue Bulls forwards mentor Pote Human, who joined EP on Monday ahead of the side’s Vodacom Cup clash against Western Province at the EPRU Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.

EP chief executive Anele Pamba announced yesterday that the world-renowned forwards coach had joined EP from Japanese club Ricoh, and will be with the side until the end of the season.

Pamba emphasised that the arrival of Human and the role of Alan Solomons as director of rugby for the Southern Kings should not be seen as a threat to the current coaching staff at EP.

“(Forwards coach) Gideon (Janse van Rensburg) will continue to assist with the team, and will learn a lot from Human,” said Pamba.

“Solomons’s role as director of rugby for the Kings includes assisting our fellow unions (Border and South Western Districts). He is not coming solely for EP.

“People’s jobs are not at stake because of their arrivals. We just want to make sure that Currie Cup A-status is achieved.”

EP has also been bolstered by the signing of tighthead prop Sphelelo Mayaba, who is expected to come off the bench against Province this weekend.

The EP team for the weekend is:

Backline: Justin Peach, Norman Nelson, Siyanda Grey, De Wet Barry, Howard Noble, Regardt van Eyk and Clayton Gawie.

Forwards: Jacques Potgieter, Yves Bashiya, Zolani Mofu, Hein Potgieter, Nolan Clark, Sangoni Mxoli, Robert Dyer and Pumlani Nodikida.

Reserves: Giovano Fourie, Ayanda Nogampula/Sphelelo Mayaba, Brendon Snyman, Pieter Ferreira, Marlon Lewis, Matthew Tayler-Smith, Jaco Bekker and Ryan Brown.