There is no other option for the Elephants but to go all the way and be crowned Currie Cup First Division champions in 2025, EP deputy president Mbulelo Gidane says.
EP kick off their quest for silverware with a tough home game against the SWD Eagles at the NMU Madibaz Stadium on Saturday (kickoff 3pm).
It is vital that the Elephants hit the ground running and pick up maximum points against a team they beat 39-26 in a SA Cup clash in March.
Unlike the recently completed SA Cup, where the odds were heavily stacked against them, the Elephants will be pitted against teams with similarly modest budgets in the First Division.
While expectations of success were low in the SA Cup, fans expect EP to be a dominant force in the First Division.
In the 2024 First Division final, the Elephants were cruelly beaten by a powerful Boland side on a tries-scored rule after the teams ended level at 27-27 after extra-time.
“There is no other option than for EP to go to the first Division final and win it in 2025,” Gidane said.
“That is the performance arrangement we have with the coach (Allister Coetzee).
“Allister must be given all he wants to succeed because his performance is judged on that.
“EP do not want to go to finals and lose. We must go to the finals to win.
“The Elephants’ main goal is to win promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division in 2026.”
EP will field a new-look team against Boland after CJ Velleman, Jac van der Walt and JJ Scheepers returned to their home unions after loan spells in Gqeberha.
Flyhalf Chris Humphries is not available because of work commitments.
Coetzee said EP had set their sights on First Division success after ending seventh in the SA Cup.
“EP are in a better shape than when we started the SA Cup season, and we have to build on that in the Currie Cup,” he said.
“Preparations are going well, but it’s a bit different from the SA Cup.
“We have new players still settling in, but I’m positive they’ll be ready for the first game against the Eagles.
“Attack has always been our DNA, and we have got more flair players than physical ones.
“But defence is about attitude and technique.
“We’re working hard on tackle entry to avoid yellow cards and aim to score four-plus tries while conceding fewer than four per game.”
A new First Division champion will be crowned after 2023 and 2024 winners the Boland Cavaliers were promoted to the Premier Division.
The Griffons, the 2022 champions, will rejoin the fray in 2025 after a few years in the Premier Division.
Other recent champions are the Leopards (2021), Jaguares from Argentina (2019), Eagles (2018), and the Griffons (2017 and 2016).
Three of EP’s five First Division games will be played in Gqeberha and they will be keen to make full use of home ground advantage against the SWD Eagles, Border Bulldogs and Falcons.
EP’s mood has also been lifted in recent weeks after the union’s president, George Malgas, said efforts were being made to acquire an equity partner.
If an equity partner comes on board, EP will be able to boost their squad with additional quality players in 2026.
Saturday’s other First Division fixtures: Leopards vs Border Bulldogs, Griffons vs Falcons.
The Herald
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.