Emotions will run high during an EP rugby appeals committee hearing on Thursday when Progress and Harlequins officials argue their case in the matter of a postponed EPRU Grand Challenge first-round match.
With the race for playoff berths expected to be tightly contested, the clubs will present strong arguments to the committee to gain a favourable ruling and precious log points.
By a quirk of fate, the two teams will meet in the opening match of the second round at the Adcock Stadium on Saturday in what will be a grudge battle.
The original first-round game between the sides 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 as an outstanding fixture at the Daleview Sports Ground in Despatch on Saturday, but it 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 believed they should be awarded the full five log points, because Progress should have found an alternative venue on May 24.
Progress believe the game should be played as an outstanding fixture.
In a letter to the clubs, EP president George Malgas said: “EPRU hereby invites you, PE Harlequins RFC and Progress RC, to an appeal hearing.
“The hearing has been organised to consider the appeal which has been lodged by Harlequins.
“In this regard, we would like to request Harlequins and Progress to bring along two delegates.
“We have scheduled the appeal hearing to be held on Thursday at the EPRU boardroom.”
In a letter to Harlequins and Progress last week, 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.
“EPRU would have loved the result of this fixture to have been determined on the field of play.
“But, unfortunately, the appeals committee will have to adjudicate on this rugby matter/matches.”
In their appeal against playing the fixture, Harlequins said: “We hereby acknowledge receipt of an official Grand Challenge Cup fixture, dated June 24, however received June 25 2025, signed by the general manager, Mzi Mpofu.
“In this particular fixture, Harlequins is fixtured [sic] vs Progress RFC at Daleview on June 28.
“It is with dismay that we must state ... that Harlequins is uncomfortable with the said fixture.
“We are not sure from where the fixture decision originates.
“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 and culture dated May 9, stating that Central Field would be under construction.
“Progress RFC decided to keep the municipal notice to themselves, without notifying either EPRU or 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.”
The Herald
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