A trailblazing trip to Kenya last week by EP Rugby CEO Thando Manana is set to generate several positive spinoffs for Eastern Cape rugby in the months ahead.
It was Manana’s brainchild for EP’s Currie Cup match against the Kenyan Simbas to be played in Nairobi at the RFUEA Ground on June 11.
The much-awaited game is expected to attract a capacity crowd in the bustling Kenyan capital.
The clash had been scheduled to be played at the Simbas’ SA home base in Cape Town, but Manana negotiated with Kenyan officials for the match to be played in Nairobi.
Manana and SA Rugby competition official Yusuf Jackson flew to Nairobi to make final preparations for the game.
It is believed the Currie Cup showdown will herald much closer ties between EP and Kenyan rugby.
EP’s CEO would like an annual match to be arranged between the EPRU Grand Challenge club rugby champions and the top club side in Kenya.
The finer details have yet to hammered out, but the game could alternate between Gqeberha and Nairobi each year.
The Kenya Rugby Union is using the Simbas participation in the Currie Cup as preparation for July’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Marseille, France.
Kenya Rugby Union chair Oduor Gangla said it had been a phenomenal experience for the Simbas to play against fully professional sides in the Currie Cup.
He said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and CEO Jourie Roux had been fully supportive of Kenyan Rugby.
The Elephants took another step towards winning top-tier Carling Currie Cup Premier Division promotion when they beat the Border Bulldogs 64-7 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in their last outing
Thanks to the victory, EP remain unbeaten in the First Promotion barometer log (SA teams only), while struggling Border have all lost four of their opening games.
It was the first time EP had played a Currie Cup match at the stadium for seven years and they celebrated the occasion by running in 10 tries.
With a new partnership with Kenyan rugby on the horizon, the future is looking bright for EP.
