EP coach Allister “Toetie” Coetzee says he is happy with where the Elephants are in terms of their preparation for a tough opening SA Cup match against a combative Falcons outfit in Kempton Park on Saturday.
The Gqeberha team are gunning to end among the top four teams in the SA Cup and win promotion to play in the Currie Cup Premier Division later in 2025.
EP enjoyed mixed fortunes in their two warm-ups, losing to the SWD Eagles in George and then beating the Border Bulldogs in Port Alfred.
Coetzee has appointed forwards Stefan Willemse and Siya Nzuzo as co-captains and centre Sherwin Slater is vice-captain and backline leader for the Falcons game.
“We are looking forward to this match against the Falcons and we are happy the preseason is over and we are excited to see where we are,” Coetzee said.
“It has been a tough preseason and injuries are part of this game and we have lost a few of our senior players in the tight forwards, especially in the front row.
“Prop Duncan du Buisson is not in the squad as he is out with a neck injury, and recruit Kudzwai Dube (prop) is out with a knee injury.
“The third one is Temba Boltina and he has an Achilles injury. All three are long-term injuries.
“In addition, Caylim Cordier is out for a couple of weeks.
“So we have two hookers and two props out, which affects our resources in the front row.
“Be that as it may, other players are getting opportunities to make positions their own.”
Coetzee said he was excited to see how the players would perform in their opening game at the Barnard Stadium.
“After this game we will know what to work on and where to build on,” he said.
“I can’t fault the effort of the players.
“I know there is a lot of expectation and this is a new building phase for EP rugby.
“We want to make sure we are highly competitive and the Falcons are a difficult team to play up in Kempton Park.
“They have improved tremendously and train on an almost full-time basis.
“So it helps a lot when you have your team full-time.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how our players go.
“We are trying to turn things about in EP and so far we have a happy group of players and they are enjoying the systems and structures we have put in place.
“I’m happy with where we are, but the injury situation is not always nice before a competition.
“But we have to dig deep now in terms of our depth.”
EP team: 1 Siyakubonga Nzuzo, 2 Deon Plaatjies, 3 Zukisa Sali, 4 Stefan Willemse, 5 JJ Scheepers, 6 CJ Velleman, 7 Laken Gray, 8 Athi Manentsa, 9 Shirwin Cupido, 10 Chris Humphries, 11JD Jooste, 12 Troy Delport, 13 Sherwin Slater, 14 Rodney Damons, 15 Jayden Bantom. Replacements: 16 Masikane Mazwi, 17 Endinako Kuse, 18 Andile Ngonyama, 19 Hannes Huisamen, 20 Keano Botha, 2 Wayne Ngubane, 22 Masixole Banda, 23 Ayabonga Oliphant, 24 Sanwell Jacobs, Davian Swanepoel.
Weekend SA Cup fixtures:
Friday: Pumas v SWD Eagles.
Saturday: Leopards v Griquas, Falcons v EP Elephants, Border Bulldogs v Griffons.
• After beating the Golden Lions women 31-24 last week, EP’s Queens will be bidding to make it back to wins in the SA women’s Premier League when they face Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Herald
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