A resilient never-quit attitude will drive Harlequins forward at the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup (EPCC) Easter tournament, which kicks off in George on Thursday, coach Leon Nicolaai says.
Two of EP’s most successful club rugby teams, Harlequins and Kruisfontein United, are facing tough opening matches at Outeniqua Park.
Gqeberha’s Harlequins have been drawn to play Blanco (kickoff 4pm), and crack Humansdorp outfit Kruisfontein United are set to collide with Robertson (5.45pm).
“One of our biggest strengths will be our depth because we have a squad of about 40-plus players,” Nicolaai said.
“This will play a role, and our resilience, belief and never-quit attitude. These are strengths Harlequins thrive on. When we started our campaign in 2025, we said we wanted to dominate the Grand Challenge tournament and, after that, start dominating outside the province in bigger national events,” he said.
“That is Harlequins’ goal: to be better at tournaments and in the national Gold Cup at the end of the year. We need to build our platforms so Harlequins can be better at national tournaments, because part of the overall plan is to put the club back on the national stage,” Nicolaai said.
“Then we can build platforms for players to move into provincial set-ups and even higher.”
Apart from success at the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup tournament, Harlequins have set their sights on success in the EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12.
“We want to make 2026 the year we go out and win the Top 12,” Nicolaai said.
“Last year we missed out by two points in the final against Gardens in a great game. Harlequins gained experience from that final and also what happened in George in 2025,” Nicolaai said.
“We will be better equipped going into both competitions in 2026, and we hope to do well. As a club we would like to win everything on offer. We have been active on the field even though we did not play in the EC Super 14 tournament.
“Harlequins have good pre-season games under the belt, and we are in fine shape and form. The players are calm, and they know what is expected of them, so it has been a good build-up to George,” Nicolaai said.
“We started our Grand Challenge season last week, and we had a good win, 46-10, over Hankey Villagers. On Saturday we had a team-building session, and preparations have gone well with no hiccups and major injuries.
“Harlequins are all set to go,” Nicolaai said.
“The win over Hankey Villagers came at the right time and was a good morale booster for the team. Straight after the Ebrahim Patel tournament we jump back into the Grand Challenge.”
At the EPCC draw, EP Rugby president George Malgas pledged his full support to the tournament, which is expected to draw capacity crowds.
He called on SA Rugby to actively support initiatives such as the Patel event and said more should be done nationally to preserve and elevate Patel’s legacy within the broader rugby framework.
Tournament director Romano Lekay said: “The EPCC has evolved beyond a tournament.
“It is unlocking meaningful investment into community rugby through measurable audience growth, broadcast exposure and credible delivery. Sponsors are seeing real return, clubs are benefiting from increased visibility and communities are starting to feel the impact,” Lekay said.
“The EPCC started with only two teams and a simple vision — to create a platform for community rugby excellence and to give honour where honour is due."
Thursday’s opening fixtures:
4pm: Harlequins v Blanco
5.35pm: Robertson v Kruisfontein
7.40pm: Safcol v Heidelberg
9.15pm: Botrivier v Bridgton.
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