A fiery baptism awaits a young Park team when they host Gardens in their opening EC Super 14 club rugby match at Londt Park on Saturday, coach Ike Tuko says.
A rampant Gardens outfit swept everything before them when they won the 2023 EPRU Grand Challenge and the Kariega side are hot favourites to kick off the new season on a winning note.
After months of uncertainty regarding whether the Super 14 would take place, record crowds are expected to attend the opening matches throughout the Eastern Cape.
Last week Gardens and Park drew 19-19 in a warm-up game which afforded both teams an ideal opportunity to fine-tune their combinations.
“Park are really looking forward to this challenge of playing against the Grand Challenge champions,” Tuko said.
“It must be mentioned Park have lost a lot of players in the off-season, so this will be a big challenge for us.
“We know Gardens are the Grand Challenge champions and it will not be an easy start, especially when you are building a new team.
“Park lost a lot of senior players after some decided to stop and work, and some moved to other clubs.
“Gardens will be a good test for the team.
“We use this tournament to prepare for the Grand Challenge and that is our main aim.
“Our first warm-up match against Harlequins (Park lost 43-17) was a tough game and it was a good experience for us.
“You must remember if you want to build something you have to give everyone a chance so that you can eventually pick the best players for the club.
“The warm-up against Harlequins was an opportunity to do that.
“At least we managed to score three tries, so that shows the potential is there.
“Park have a six-week plan and I think we will come right with the youngsters we are using at the moment.
“So we will see what brand of rugby we will play in the Super 14.
“You cannot play running rugby if you do not have runners and quick guys.”
Gardens started the season on a winning note when they pipped Grand Challenge rivals Kirkwood 12-10 in a warm-up three weeks ago.
Coach Leon Nicolaai said the champions wanted to add more flair to their already exciting style of play in 2024.
“Gardens’ goal is to do well in all competitions and try to breed new heroes for our community,” he said.
“The club is determined to do our very best in 2024 and we know Park will be a tough team to start against.
'I do not think Gardens will have a tag on our backs because we are defending Grand Challenge champions.
“All the teams are good and ready, and it looks like it will be very open season.”
Nicolaai says Gardens will be without star flyhalf Ruben de Vos who shone in the Grand Challenge triumph.
“Ruben is currently training with the EP rugby squad for the SA Cup tournament and we are very happy for his opportunity.
“He played very well for us last season, but luckily we are blessed with more talent.
'Winning the Grand Challenge will definitely give Gardens a boost and now we have even more hunger for success.
“We will add some more flair to our make-up in 2024 and see how it goes.
“Our preparations have been going very well and our players came back refreshed and excited for the new season.
“The majority of our players from 2023 are still with us and we only lost players to the EP Elephants and Leopards.
“Gardens have also gained some exciting new players and the prospects look good.”
EP and Border clubs will play a reduced single round of internal fixtures before cross-border encounters in the knockout phase.
EP Conference:
Group A: Kruisfontein United, Park, Gardens, Harlequins
Group B: Progress, Despatch Oostelikes, Trying Stars, Hankey Villagers
Border Conference:
Group A: EL Police, Ncera Leopards, Moonlight, Berlin Tigers
Group B: Young Leopards, Swallows, Old Selbornians, Komga United
Saturday’s EP fixtures (3.30pm kick-off):
Group A: Park v Gardens (Londt Park), Kruisfontein United v Harlequins (Sports Complex)
Group B: Trying Stars v Hankey Villagers (Alexandria), Progress v Despatch Oostelikes (Central Field)
Saturday’s Border fixtures (3.30pm kick-off):
Group A: EL Police v Moonlight, Ncera Leopards v Berlin Tigers.
Group B: Young Leopards v Old Selbornians, Swallows v Komga United.
Derby Saturday Circuit 2 match fixtures for Adcock Stadium are:
11am: Algoa Park v Wells Dragons, Noon: Pirates v Walmer Wallabies, 1pm: Thistles v Morning Stars, 2pm: Helenvale v Windvogel United, 3pm: Crusaders/Police v Easterns, 4pm: Suburban v Missionvale, 5pm: St Marks v Glen Roses.
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