Cancellation of Cheetahs match exposes EP Rugby’s administrative crisis

What’s happening at the Eastern Province Rugby Union is a tragicomedy. An important preseason friendly match against the Cheetahs had to be abandoned due to unforeseen injuries to EP Rugby props on the weekend of February 21. This game would have been crucial preparation for the SA Cup’s first match on March 6, and the fans in Nxuba (formerly Cradock) would have had the rare opportunity to see the team.

It’s a blow to rugby transformation, as we pride ourselves as the bedrock of black rugby in the country. As a province, we are not only the supplier of black players to other financially stronger provinces, we have produced the backbone of the Springboks in coach Rassie Erasmus, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and the captain, Siya Kolisi. Let’s look at how the EP Rugby executive have failed in their mandate to date.

The executive have not been able to resolve the dispute between the three top-tier clubs Gardens, PE Harlequins and Kruisfontein United with the Eastern Cape Super 14 rugby organisers, who owe the clubs about R500,000 in prize money for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2023, when these amateur clubs who struggled to secure sponsorship for their travelling expenses were not paid, they approached EP Rugby for intervention. But nothing happened, except that PE Harlequins, who were owed well over R200,000 for that season, were reimbursed with only R20,000.

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Since these clubs wanted to participate, they agreed to continue with the 2024 edition of the tournament, despite earlier contemplating to boycott it. Again, against the promises, they were not paid what was due to them.

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