If everything goes according to plan, marauding loose forwards Junior Pokomela and CJ Velleman could be making comebacks for EP’s Elephants when the SA Cup kicks off in March.
Well-placed insiders said Pokomela was still weighing up his options, while EP coach Allister “Toetie” Coetzee confirmed negotiations were under way with Velleman.
It is expected EP will name their full squad and captain after a training camp this week.
EP have assembled a 28-man squad who have been hard at work before one of the most important seasons in the union’s history.
If the Elephants finish in the top four teams in the SA Cup, they will qualify to play in the Currie Cup Premier Division which kicks off later in 2025.
“We have a group of 28 contracted players in training,” Coetzee said.
“Our talks to bring back Velleman are very serious and I am waiting for other players to get back to us.
“CJ’s loan agreement from the Stormers is almost completed and he is happy to come home and have a stint with EP.
“He will stay sharp with us and if the Stormers need him he can go back to them at any time.
“CJ’s experience will be of massive value to us here in Gqeberha.
“He is over his injuries and has been training and playing for a long time without any problems.”
Velleman represented EP at various youth levels, captained their U16 side at the 2011 Grant Khomo Week and played for the U18 side at the 2012 and 2013 Craven Week tournaments.
Velleman was included in the EP Kings squad for the 2014 season and made his first-class debut in their 60-6 victory over rivals the Border Bulldogs.
In December 2015, Velleman was one of the first of 20 players who signed contracts to play for the Southern Kings in the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Pokomela earned his first provincial selection in 2012 when he represented EP at the U16 Grant Khomo Week held in Johannesburg, starting all three of their matches in the tournament.
Like Velleman, Pokomela was on a list of 20 players signed by the Southern Kings for the 2016 Super Rugby season.
“When I spoke to the guys who interviewed me for the EP post my dream was to bring back players to the Elephants,” Coetzee said.
“That is still my main big dream.
“So when I contract I want to get former EP players who have been here and started their careers at EP.”
The Herald
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