EP's woes against top-tier Currie Cup Premier Division opposition continued when they were thumped 59-26 by the Cheetahs in a SA Cup clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The gulf in class between Currie Cup First Division and Premier Division sides was ruthlessly exposed by a rampant Cheetahs outfit that ran in nine tries.
The contest was over by halftime after the Cheetahs raced into a 40-7 lead to put the contest beyond reach of the visitors from Gqeberha.
Top-tier teams have been running up scores of cricket-like proportions in the SA Cup and Saturday's mismatch highlighted how much ground lower league sides have to make up.
In the first game of the fourth round on Friday, the Pumas thrashed the Falcons 89-3 in a bloodbath at the Mbombela Stadium.
Despite being on the receiving end of a heavy defeat, EP could take a measure of consolation from the four tries they scored.
EP prop Siya Nzuzo breached the Cheetahs' defence in the first half and in the second period, Lock Mbusi Mibiko centres Sherwin Slater and Riaan Arends added to EP's points tally.
EP coach Dumisani Mhani and his team were given an idea of what they could expect against First Division opposition two weeks ago when the Cheetahs thrashed them 61-0 in Mbombela.
EP's best hopes of earning log points will come when they face fellow First Division sides.
Such an opportunity will present itself on Saturday when EP face fellow strugglers the Leopards at Olen Park in Potchefstroom.
The Leopards know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a mauling after they were thrashed 88-0 by Griquas on the opening day of the season.
A realistic Mhani says matches against Premier Division sides will allow EP to check how far they are in terms of their performances.
Ahead of Saturday's clash, Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen said there was a massive difference between the standard of the European Professional Challenge Cup (EPCR) and the SA Cup.
Two weeks ago the Cheetahs were thrashed 50-0 by the Pumas when were forced to field a second-string team to face the Pumas because of an EPCR engagement on the same weekend.
The Cheetahs’ first-choice side were narrowly beaten 27-22 by French side Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel-Michelin in France on the same weekend.
“Playing in the two events will always be the challenge and we have to try and train in a way that simulates that, which is very difficult," Van der Westhuizen said.
The SA Cup comprise SA’s non-franchise teams, excluding the Bulls, Lions, Stormers and Sharks, and will be played over a single round.
The tournament features 46 games and fills an important gap between pre-season and the start of the Currie Cup Premier and First Division competitions.
In the league format, 10 provincial sides will face each other over nine consecutive weeks of what promises to be frenetic action.
After the league phase, the two top-ranked sides will compete in the SA Cup final on May 24 or 25.
Scorers:
Cheetahs 59: Tries: Tapiwa Mafura, Munier Hartzenberg, Litha Nkula (2), Victor Sekekete, Banie Britz, Vumazonke Sisonke, George Lourens (2). Conversions: Andell Loubser (7).
EP Elephants 26: Tries: Siya Nzuzo, Lungi Mbiko, Sherwin Slater, Riaan Arends. Conversions: Ruben de Vos (3).
Weekend results: Griquas 61 Griffons 17, Cheetahs 59 EP Elephants 26, Leopards 57 Border Bulldogs 15, Pumas 89 Falcons 2.
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