EP are busy talking to four players with Currie Cup Premier Division and United Rugby Championship experience to sign for the Elephants ahead of the SA Cup tournament, president George Malgas says.
A new era for EP rugby under former Springbok coach Allister “Toetie” Coetzee kicks off on March 8 when the Elephants face the Falcons in their opening SA Cup match.
EP will travel to Kempton Park to face the Falcons with high hopes they can deliver a winning start in what will be a demanding eight-match programme played over two months.
Sources close to the EP camp said lock Lungisile Mbiko, loose forward Gerrit Huisamen and utility back Xolela Payi had been lured away from Gqeberha.
Payi has signed a contract to play for the Falcons, Mbiko is on his way to the Griffons and Huisamen has decided to pursue his career in Ireland.
Players who re-signed for the new season are fullback Jayden Bantom, scrumhalf Wayne Ngubane and centre Troy Delport.
“We have been in discussions with four players from around the country,” Malgas said.
“These are players that plied their trade here in the Eastern Cape and were poached to go and play in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup.
“Some of them were signed at franchise level so they played in the United Rugby Championship and similar competitions.
“We have an intention signed by those players we would like to come back to EP.
“I am not at liberty to share the names of the players, but they are top-class players who are willing to come back and assist us.”
Malgas said Coetzee was working with a core group of players ahead of the new season.
“There is an excitement among the players who are training with us at the moment.
“Our excellence in the boardroom has to translate into what happening on the field.
“It is very encouraging to see to what level Coetzee encourages the players to buy into EP rugby
“He has shared the names of players he has been speaking to bring back into the province.
“We are looking forward to great news going forward and that is the vision we have.
“The executive have a vision to take EP to the next level.
“We have committed to assist Allister with all the tools he needs.
“My buzzword at the moment is what Allister wants, Allister gets.
“That is the undertaking I have given to him.”
The Elephants have set their sights on finishing among the top four clubs in the SA Cup so that they can win promotion to the top tier Currie Cup Premier Division.
EP will play four home matches at the NMB Stadium and four on the road ahead of the SA semifinals on May 17.
EP’s other home matches are against the Pumas (March 15), Leopards (April 6) and Griffons (May 3).
Malgas said Coetzee had been given a three-year contract with the view to extending it further.
Coetzee said EP must bring star players home to Gqeberha from rival teams and formulate a retention plan to revitalise the union.
“It will be a great challenge to build a winning EP team again and I am excited to be back in Gqeberha,” he said.
“We have to make sure we create an EP for EP and bring back players from EP to represent EP.
“The first big job is to build a squad.
“I am happy for the support of the executive who have bought into the vision we have.
“Getting this plan right will not be easy and we will have to follow a process.”
EP’s SA Cup fixtures:
March 8 vs Falcons (away), March 15 vs Pumas (home), March 22 vs Eagles (away), March 29 vs Cheetahs (home), April 6 vs Leopards (home), April 13 vs Griquas (away), April 26 vs Border Bulldogs (away), May 3 vs Griffons (home). Semifinals: May 17. Final: May 24.
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.