As published in SPORTElizabeth in November 2010
It was sometime in 2001, I think. It was around 9pm on a night in December or January. All I can remember without doubt is that it was absolutely bitterly, freezing cold and it was drizzling, and the queue seemed to be going nowhere. In fact, if I can remember correctly, it was more like a queueueueueue. And we were nowhere near the front. This was Camden Palace in London on a Friday night, and we were anxious to get inside. It was a nightclub we had heard more than enough about to warrant a weekend trip from Exeter, Devon to London to squeak some serious tekkie. We were cold, we were starting to sober up (we had spent a large part of the afternoon fixing the world’s finances in a nearby pub), and we were starting to wonder if it was all going to be worth the wait. Until I spotted something hilarious ahead of us in the queueueue (it had become slightly shorter). I quietly nudged my two mates, JP and Conrad, who were also both from Port Elizabeth, and pointed ahead. They both immediately burst out laughing.
Really? So you find yourself 1000s of kilometres from home in one of THE capital cities of the world, and you’re about to enter one of the best clubs in this city, and you decide to wear an Eastern Province (not so) Mighty Elephants Rugby jersey. You have absolutely no shame. Either that, or you lost a bet. Surely. This is a true story, by the way. There was a girl waiting in the queue wearing what looked like her dad’s EP Rugby jersey. You need to understand that there was a time when the EP Rugby jersey was worn only by the players, and perhaps their immediate families; behind closed doors and with all curtains and/or blinds firmly shut. It wasn’t something that most people wanted to be seen wearing. You may want to argue here, but let’s be honest, it’s true.
To put things into perspective, in 2001 the Mighty Elephants finished fifth in the Vodacom Cup, and were then thumped 27 – 40 by the Griffons in the Vodacom Shield final, which, in my opinion, was really a tournament designed to throw paw-paws at the Vodacom Cup losers; hence the ‘shield’. It also gave the 250-odd fans of the losing teams something to shout about, while the real teams did battle in the Vodacom Cup play-offs. While I’m talking about it, I must just mention that the Mighty Elephants did win the Vodacom Shield in 2002 when they beat Natal 26 – 20 in Durban. Due to a lack of paw-paws one suspects, the Vodacom Shield was laid to rest in 2004.
What am I muttering about again? Oh yes, Eastern Province Rugby. As I write this, it is Friday 22 October 2010 and the ABSA Currie Cup First Division Champions, the Eastern Province Kings will do battle with the Pumas in Witbank in exactly 6 hours time. I’m sorry to waste your time here (which you have a lot more of, thanks to the cremation of the Vodacom Shield), but I’d like to write that sentence again. As I write this, it is Friday 22 October 2010 and the ABSA Currie Cup First Division Champions, the Eastern Province Kings will do battle with the Pumas in Witbank in exactly 6 hours time. Ok, I must be honest – I copied and pasted it. But still, it gave me goosebumps nevertheless. Over the following two Fridays, the EP Kings will have the opportunity to gain promotion to the ABSA Currie Cup, but it’s no secret that it is going to take a monumental effort to trounce the boys who beat both the Lions and the Bulls during the 2010 season. But, in my opinion, if a team wins the trophy in its division, it deserves automatic promotion. But I am not going to waste your and my time moaning about that. I deliberately chose to write this column before tonight’s match in Witbank, because as far as I’m concerned, win or lose tonight, or next Friday night at the NMB Stadium for that matter, our boys have brought us a trophy. And that is what I am writing about.
During my errands around town today I spotted no less than five people wearing the beautiful red and white stripes of the EP Kings jersey. Did I laugh and nudge the nearest person to have a giggle? Absolutely not. On the contrary, I smiled approvingly and gave a polite nod. Right before our eyes here in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape in general, there has been a complete turnaround at Eastern Province Rugby. And I’m not just talking about the standard of the rugby (which has improved in ways that cannot even be described), but more the attitude of the public towards EP rugby. Now I sit here not knowing which one I need to emphasise, so I’ll pose the question. Has the standard of EP rugby improved so dramatically because the supporters have changed their attitudes, come out to support them in their droves at the NMB Stadium and maybe even swopped those silly Sharks stickers for new and shiny EP Kings mementos, OR have the supporters burned their Sharks stickers and turned out in their thousands week in and week out because the standard of EP rugby has improved to such a great extent? I am going to attempt to answer my own question.
Working on the sports desk at Algoa FM obviously (I hate using that word, but this time it is appropriate) gives me insight into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ in South African sporting circles. So, instead of referring to EP Rugby as a collective and anonymous entity, I’d like rather to refer to specific people who, as far as I’m aware, have personally worked tirelessly in taking our EP Kings to the podium in George on Friday 15 October 2010. Just for kicks: SWD Eagles 12 – 16 EP Kings. But you knew that.
From my dealings, conversations and interviews with various people involved in and around EP Rugby, I can mention a few people whom I feel you need to know about when you next very proudly put on your EP Kings jersey. I’m pretty darn certain that the list is a helluva lot longer than what I am about to put down, but nevertheless, here goes: Alan Solomons, Corne Korff, Cheeky Watson, Anele Pamba, Debbie Ellis, Martin Nefdt, EP Kings fans (yes, you), Mzwandile Stick, De We Barry and every single member of the EP Kings squad and training team. And then of course, let’s not dismiss the role the local media have played in taking our boys not only to the top of their division, but more importantly, back into the hearts of local rugby fans. Because let’s face it, it’s been far, far, far more than just an improvement on the field – it has been an entire shift (metamorphosis) in attitude and perception. And that, I believe, is a great deal more significant.
On the 12th of October, it was announced that 21 young rugby stars from across the Eastern Cape had signed up to join the newly formed EP Rugby Academy, which will be managed by former Springbok prop, Robbie Kempson. It goes without saying that this can only lead to much greater things. EP Rugby is on the rise. This is just the beginning.
PS: Before I go, I need to tell you that last night I dreamt that EP Kings beat the Pumas 43 – 22 in Witbank. True story. Let’s see what happens.
Really? So you find yourself 1000s of kilometres from home in one of THE capital cities of the world, and you’re about to enter one of the best clubs in this city, and you decide to wear an Eastern Province (not so) Mighty Elephants Rugby jersey. You have absolutely no shame. Either that, or you lost a bet. Surely. This is a true story, by the way. There was a girl waiting in the queue wearing what looked like her dad’s EP Rugby jersey. You need to understand that there was a time when the EP Rugby jersey was worn only by the players, and perhaps their immediate families; behind closed doors and with all curtains and/or blinds firmly shut. It wasn’t something that most people wanted to be seen wearing. You may want to argue here, but let’s be honest, it’s true.
To put things into perspective, in 2001 the Mighty Elephants finished fifth in the Vodacom Cup, and were then thumped 27 – 40 by the Griffons in the Vodacom Shield final, which, in my opinion, was really a tournament designed to throw paw-paws at the Vodacom Cup losers; hence the ‘shield’. It also gave the 250-odd fans of the losing teams something to shout about, while the real teams did battle in the Vodacom Cup play-offs. While I’m talking about it, I must just mention that the Mighty Elephants did win the Vodacom Shield in 2002 when they beat Natal 26 – 20 in Durban. Due to a lack of paw-paws one suspects, the Vodacom Shield was laid to rest in 2004.
What am I muttering about again? Oh yes, Eastern Province Rugby. As I write this, it is Friday 22 October 2010 and the ABSA Currie Cup First Division Champions, the Eastern Province Kings will do battle with the Pumas in Witbank in exactly 6 hours time. I’m sorry to waste your time here (which you have a lot more of, thanks to the cremation of the Vodacom Shield), but I’d like to write that sentence again. As I write this, it is Friday 22 October 2010 and the ABSA Currie Cup First Division Champions, the Eastern Province Kings will do battle with the Pumas in Witbank in exactly 6 hours time. Ok, I must be honest – I copied and pasted it. But still, it gave me goosebumps nevertheless. Over the following two Fridays, the EP Kings will have the opportunity to gain promotion to the ABSA Currie Cup, but it’s no secret that it is going to take a monumental effort to trounce the boys who beat both the Lions and the Bulls during the 2010 season. But, in my opinion, if a team wins the trophy in its division, it deserves automatic promotion. But I am not going to waste your and my time moaning about that. I deliberately chose to write this column before tonight’s match in Witbank, because as far as I’m concerned, win or lose tonight, or next Friday night at the NMB Stadium for that matter, our boys have brought us a trophy. And that is what I am writing about.
During my errands around town today I spotted no less than five people wearing the beautiful red and white stripes of the EP Kings jersey. Did I laugh and nudge the nearest person to have a giggle? Absolutely not. On the contrary, I smiled approvingly and gave a polite nod. Right before our eyes here in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape in general, there has been a complete turnaround at Eastern Province Rugby. And I’m not just talking about the standard of the rugby (which has improved in ways that cannot even be described), but more the attitude of the public towards EP rugby. Now I sit here not knowing which one I need to emphasise, so I’ll pose the question. Has the standard of EP rugby improved so dramatically because the supporters have changed their attitudes, come out to support them in their droves at the NMB Stadium and maybe even swopped those silly Sharks stickers for new and shiny EP Kings mementos, OR have the supporters burned their Sharks stickers and turned out in their thousands week in and week out because the standard of EP rugby has improved to such a great extent? I am going to attempt to answer my own question.
Working on the sports desk at Algoa FM obviously (I hate using that word, but this time it is appropriate) gives me insight into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ in South African sporting circles. So, instead of referring to EP Rugby as a collective and anonymous entity, I’d like rather to refer to specific people who, as far as I’m aware, have personally worked tirelessly in taking our EP Kings to the podium in George on Friday 15 October 2010. Just for kicks: SWD Eagles 12 – 16 EP Kings. But you knew that.
From my dealings, conversations and interviews with various people involved in and around EP Rugby, I can mention a few people whom I feel you need to know about when you next very proudly put on your EP Kings jersey. I’m pretty darn certain that the list is a helluva lot longer than what I am about to put down, but nevertheless, here goes: Alan Solomons, Corne Korff, Cheeky Watson, Anele Pamba, Debbie Ellis, Martin Nefdt, EP Kings fans (yes, you), Mzwandile Stick, De We Barry and every single member of the EP Kings squad and training team. And then of course, let’s not dismiss the role the local media have played in taking our boys not only to the top of their division, but more importantly, back into the hearts of local rugby fans. Because let’s face it, it’s been far, far, far more than just an improvement on the field – it has been an entire shift (metamorphosis) in attitude and perception. And that, I believe, is a great deal more significant.
On the 12th of October, it was announced that 21 young rugby stars from across the Eastern Cape had signed up to join the newly formed EP Rugby Academy, which will be managed by former Springbok prop, Robbie Kempson. It goes without saying that this can only lead to much greater things. EP Rugby is on the rise. This is just the beginning.
PS: Before I go, I need to tell you that last night I dreamt that EP Kings beat the Pumas 43 – 22 in Witbank. True story. Let’s see what happens.
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