EP's Elephants have been given the backing they need to return to the big time after a Franchise Cup tournament was mooted, expected to kick off on February 27.
Well placed sources said EP were given the green light at a meeting of SA's unions on Wednesday where decisions were taken about which teams would play in the tournament.
Insiders say a follow-up meeting will be held on Friday.
Though SA Rugby have not made an official announcement, it is believed they will make a statement on Monday confirming who will play in the new competition.
“EP got the support they needed and will play in an eight-team Franchise Cup kicking off in February,” a source said.
EP Rugby officials were tight-lipped when approached for comment about their team's expected elevation to the top table of SA Rugby
“It would be premature to speculate about this. An announcement will be made at the appropriate time,” EP president André Rademan said.
“At this stage negotiations are still ongoing.”
EP GM Thando Manana could not be reached for comment.
A spike in Covid-19 infections and the high cost of regular testing to ensure squads are virus-free is expected to result in a planned14-team SA Cup rugby competition being canned.
In its place a Franchise Cup competition is set to be contested between the Elephants, Bulls, Lions, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas.
It is believed a Springbok training camp will be held during the Franchise tournament to monitor the progress of international players.
Meanwhile, bustling former Southern Kings and Border utility back Courtney Winnaar has been included in a slimmed down 39-man preliminary squad EP training squad as the Elephants ramp up preseason training.
The group is not final and new additions are expected. Border players could feature among additional recruits.
The group are training under coach Peter de Villiers ahead of their expected debut in the Franchise Cup.
Originally EP named a 60-man squad, but 21 of the original players have fallen by the wayside.
Winnaar, who can play fullback and flyhalf, could be an important cog in the works for EP as they bid to assemble a winning team.
Other former Kings players in the squad are Schalk Ferreira, Josiah Boafo, Christopher Hollis, Robin Stevens and Josh Alderman.
“We are trying to coach minds now more than skills,” De Villiers said. “Though we will need the skills on the field, we do have the players who understand what they should do.
“Now it is the how and why that we are focusing on.
“I am more positive than a week before.
“My plan is to get the top 15 players together. Then we have the benchmark of where the person who wants to come in has to be. We will try to form a team from those 15 players and concentrate on them.
“If you want to displace anyone in the first 15, the chance is there, but you must really show you can be better than the original selection.”
Asked if he was happy with how his squad was progressing, De Villiers said: “If you can show me a coach who is happy with what he has, it will be a new thing. We always want better.
“At this stage I feel positive because of the work ethos the players are showing. I did not expect them to work this hard.”
One of the players who could be a driver in De Villiers’ plans is versatile Winnaar,
After attended Dale College in King William's Town, Winnaar earned provincial selection to represent the Border Bulldogs youth teams between 2013 and 2015.
In 2016, Winnaar joined the EP Academy and was included in the NMU. Madibaz squad.
EP squad: Lupumlo Mguca, Zingisa April, Anele Lungisa, Athenkosi Manensa, Mbeko Kota, Mncedisi Dlwengu, Viaan Wolmarans, Bevin Prinsloo, Lyle Lombard, Ntsika Fisanti, Temba Boltina, Robin Stevens, Emile Klassen, Ronald Scheckle, Schalk Ferreira, Diego Williams, Luigy van Jaarsveld, Arnold Kleyn, Siya Nzuzo, Chadleigh Adams, Athi Khetani, Mbembe Payi, Keanu Vers, Sithembiso Befile, Thabang Holejane, Ethan Jantjies, Luvo Claasen, Sherwin Slater, Courtney Winnaar, Inny Radebe, Josiah Boafo, Josh Alderman, Christopher Hollis, Richman Gora, Lennox Holster, Davian Swanepoel, Riaan Arends, Wian van der Sandt, Qeutyn Oerson.
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.