The EP Kings will play five pre-season matches between 28 January and 17 February 2012. Stepping up the pace a notch they will take on five of the top South African Teams: Cheetahs, Blue Bulls, Stormers, Lions and the Sharks.
The matches will be played at the following venues:
- Cheetahs: East London – 28 January 2012 – 5pm
- Bulls: NMB Stadium – 4 February 2012 – 5pm
- Stormers: NMB Stadium – 11 February 2012 – 5pm
- Lions: George – 14 February 2012 – 6:30pm
- Sharks: NMB Stadium – 17 February 2012 – 5pm
2012 is crunch time for the Kings as they fight for promotion to Super Rugby. Everyone agrees that it is time that Eastern Province once again assumes their rightful place as a Rugby powerhouse on the national firma BUT we all hope that it will be on merit.
Coach Alan Solomons has a torrid time ahead of him as he guides Version 3 of the EP Rugby Players toward a third stab at cleaning up in the premier division. Let us hope that the 2012 season will be one with all victories and no points against – then I, for one, will say that we deserve entry into Super Rugby.
The players that hold EP’s future in their hands are:
Forwards:
- Reynier Bernardo
- Thembelani Bholi
- Conraad Britz
- David Bulbring
- Cornel du Preez
- Bobby Dyer
- Jacques Engelbrecht
- Jaco Engels
- Hannes Franklin
- Lizo Gqoboka
- Frank Herne
- Siya Mangaliso
- Sphephelo Mayaba
- Mpho Mbiyozo
- Thabiso Mngomezulu
- Darren Nell
- Clint Newland
- Devin Oosthuizen
- Barend Pieterse
- Andre Schlechter
- Johan Snyman
- Wayne van Heerden
- Luke Watson (Captain)
Backs:
- De Wet Barry
- Jaco Bekker
- Monty Dumond
- Danie Faasen
- Shane Gates
- Siyanda Grey
- Tiger Mangweni
- SP Marais
- Norman Nelson
- Jongi Nokwe
- Falie Oelschig
- Reynier van Rooyen
- Marcello Sampson
- Wayne Stevens
- Mzwandile Stick
- Louis Strydom
- Matthew Tayler-Smith
- George Whitehead
- Andile Witbooi
New EP Signings Cornel du Preez, David Bulbring, Jongi Nokwe with Coach Alan Solomons (2nd from Right)
