EP’s top rugby clubs, including Grand Challenge champions Kruisfontein United, look set to snub the controversial East Cape Super 14 tournament and play in a rival four-team Community Rugby tournament.
This emerged after a meeting between the provincial sport, recreation, arts and culture department, the Eastern Cape Sports Confederation and EP and Border officials on Monday.
Insiders said Kruisfontein, Harlequins, Gardens and Despatch Oostelikes could face a five-year ban from the Super 14 if they fail to take part and some have branded them as rebels.
Super 14 organisers will be hoping EP’s leading clubs have a change of heart before kickoff because their absence will rob the tournament of much of its gloss.
The Community Rugby tournament is set to start 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.
With EP’s top teams on display, a capacity crowd is expected to descend on the Sports Complex
After his team lost the 2024 Super 14 final, Kruisfontein coach Frank Domingo branded the tournament a circus and said his team would not play in the event again after he claimed they were victims of disgracefully biased refereeing.
There has been an ongoing feud between disgruntled clubs and organisers over outstanding match fees that have not been paid.
The Super 14 and rival Community event will clash because both tournaments kick off on February 8.
In a statement after a meeting on Monday, the East Cape Super 14 said: “Tournament to go ahead and start on February 8.
“Outstanding monies for 2024 to be paid by Sports Confederation to clubs before the start of the tournament.
“Transport money for 2025 games will be paid upfront before teams travel.
“Participation fee will be paid upfront by a DSRAC-appointed service provider.
“All financial dues will be paid through DSRAC [sports department] for the 2025 tournament.
“The East Cape Sports Council will not make any payments for the tournament in this financial year until a resolution is reached on debts and findings of an investigation [are] released.
“Tournament will play like last year where EP and Border will have their own mini top 8, then a quarterfinal (home), semifinal (cross-provincial) and final.
“The teams that have decided not to take part are Kruisfontein United, Gardens, Harlequins and Despatch Oostelikes.
“The organisers have afforded them their powers to exercise their rights of participation.
“The organisers also reserve the right to exercise their rights with regards to future participation.”
Expected teams to take part in the tournament are:
Border: EL Police, Swallows, Komga United, Young Leopards, Old Selbornians, Moonlight, Ncera Leopards, FB United.
EP: Progress, Trying Stars, Park, Joubertina United, Brumbies, Central Sports Club, Star of Hope, United Barbarians.
“Border and EP club representatives will report back to their constituencies.”
In 2024, to minimise expenses and because of the delayed beginning, the Super 14 adopted a new structure, in which EP and Border engaged in their own mini top-eight contest, leading to the top two teams from each union advancing to the knockout stage.
East London’s Police Rugby Club won the competition for the second consecutive time, beating Kruisfontein United in the final at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
After the final, Domingo said the officiating had been disgraceful and had “brought the wonderful game of rugby into disrepute”.
EP rugby officials were unavailable for comment.
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.