The outcome of the postponed EPRU Score Energy Drink Grand Challenge Top 12 club rugby match between Progress and Harlequins will be decided by EP Rugby’s appeals committee this week.
The original game should have been played at the Central Field in Kariega on May 24, but was called off at the last minute because of construction work being carried out at the venue.
It was then decided to play the game at the Daleview Sports Ground in Despatch on Saturday, but was postponed again after Harlequins lodged an appeal, claiming they should be awarded a victory.
Harlequins informed EP they were uncomfortable playing the fixture because they felt they should be awarded the full five log points, as Progress should have found an alternative venue on May 24.
In a letter to Harlequins and Progress on Thursday, EP general manager Mzi Mpofu said: “The EPRU excom has made a decision regarding this match.
“From correspondence from Harlequins, it seems that the travelling club [Harlequins] would not honour this fixture.
“EPRU would have preferred the appeals committee to have dealt with this case before Saturday, but this does not seem possible because of logistical and other commitments of the committee members.
“The appeal of Harlequins will now be dealt with during this week.
“EPRU would have loved the result of this fixture to have been determined on the field of play.
“But, unfortunately, the appeals committee will not have to adjudicate on this rugby matter/matches [result].
In their appeal Harlequins said: “We hereby acknowledge receipt of an official Grand Challenge Cup fixture, dated June 24, however received June 25 2025, signed by general manager, Mzi Mpofu.
“In this particular fixture Harlequins is fixtured vs Progress RFC at Daleview on June 28.
“It is with dismay that we must state to you that Harlequins is uncomfortable with the said fixture.
“We are not sure from where the fixture decision originates from.
“We submitted a dispute on May 27 to your office claiming the full five points from the scheduled match Progress vs PE Harlequins at Central Field on May 24, which never materialised as the facility was under construction
“Progress received a letter from the department of sports, arts & vulture, dated May 9, stating that Central Field would be under construction.
“Progress RFC decided to keep the municipal notice to themselves, without notifying neither EPRU nor Harlequins.
“However, Progress could have saved the match if they had informed Harlequins 72 hours in advance, as called for in the 2025 competition rules.”
Another game scheduled for Saturday between United Barbarians and Despatch Oostlikes was called off after Barbarians informed EP they did not have a field to play the game on.
The Herald
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