A decision by four of EP’s top clubs to pull out of the controversial Eastern Cape Super 14 tournament to play in a rival Community Rugby tournament has been slammed by EP Rugby boss George Malgas.
He said the move by Kruisfontein United, Gardens, Harlequins and Despatch Oostelikes was divisive and that all four clubs had been banned from playing in the Super 14 for three seasons.
He said the Community tournament smacked of elitism and was not in the best interests of rugby clubs in the region.
In addition, EP would not provide any referees for the Community event, which kicks off at the Sports Complex in Humansdorp on February 8.
There will be a double header with Kruisfontein playing Gardens, in a repeat of the 2024 Grand Challenge final, and Harlequins clashing with Oostelikes.
The Super 14 tournament also kicks off on February 8 with Border and EP teams playing matches against their own teams, before cross-union semifinal clashes.
EP and Border will have their own mini top 8, then a quarterfinal (home), semifinal (cross-provincial) and final.
The Border group comprises East London Police, Swallows, Komga United, Young Leopards, Old Selbornians, Moonlight, Ncera Leopards and FB United.
EP’s section comprises Progress, Trying Stars, Park, Joubertina United, Brumbies, Central Sports Club, Star of Hope and United Barbarians.
In a letter to club presidents, Malgas said: “The purpose and intention of this correspondence is to enlighten and inform all our clubs within EPRU of the current status of the Super Rugby competition.
“At this stage, we must report to you ... that the following clubs have withdrawn from the Super 16 competition: Harlequins Rugby Club, Gardens Rugby Club, Kruisfontein Rugby Club and Despatch Oostelikes Rugby Club.
“These four clubs indicated that they prefer their own programme which will comprise a series of friendly matches to be played among themselves.
“EPRU has made it very clear that we are not in support of this initiative as it is not in the best interests of our communities and clubs.
“It is clearly divisive and to some extent creates an order of elitism.
“We cannot prohibit any club from playing friendlies against each other but herewith want to make it abundantly clear that any club [that] does not want to participate in an officially sanctioned competition of EPRU cannot expect EPRU to condone such a position.
“EPRU will not assign match officials or offer any assistance to such games based on the participants’ non-participation in the officially sanctioned competitions.
“We view such action as not being in the spirit of the game and herewith remind the relevant clubs of the fact that they will now no longer be eligible to participate in the Super Rugby competition for three consecutive years.
“As for our government-sanctioned competition with the Border Rugby Union clubs, the following:
“The remainder of the Top 12 Grand Challenge clubs have now been included in our fixtures that will be forwarded soonest.
“Understanding that Madibaz will participate in the Varsity Shield Competition, those who qualified to play in the top section of the Grand Challenge cup for 2025 will be participating (minus those that withdrew, Harlequins, Gardens, Kruisfontein and Despatch Oostelikes).
“As background, it is a fact that in the recent past years, our rugby programme was kick-started with the hugely popular competition between ourselves and Border Rugby Union.
“Since 2023 going on to 2024, we encountered massive problems with the hosting of this competition due to the Eastern Cape Sports Confederation not dispensing the allocated funds to our clubs, as undertaken.
“To this extent, funds are still due and outstanding to certain clubs for travelling, participation fees and prize money for the competitions.
“We, (Border Rugby and EPRU) have vigorously and aggressively pursued all avenues to try to resolve this, to no avail.
“Meetings were held with the qualifying clubs and we in no uncertain terms understood that our clubs refused to participate in the competition unless the historical debt had been settled.
“I pause to indicate that as EPRU we shared and supported this view and made it very clear that we will not endorse the participation of our clubs in this competition unless the outstanding payments were made.
“At present, we as the executive committee of EPRU, decided, in collaboration with [the sport, recreation, art and culture department] and Border Rugby Union, to proceed with a Super 16 competition.
“We have parted ways with the [Eastern Cape Sports Confederation] and will proceed with the competition.
“We sincerely hope that you understand and wish you well with the competition.”
The Herald
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.