EP want to pay tribute to late president Andre Rademan by beating the SWD Eagles in a Carling Currie Cup First Division clash in Gqeberha on Friday, skipper Sherwin Slater says.
Rademan, fondly referred to as “Prez” in rugby circles, died last week after a long battle with Covid-19 after an outbreak which laid several EP Elephants players and staff low.
Saturday’s match at the Wolfson Stadium is sure to be an emotionally charged affair when the Elephants will try to lighten the sombre mood of mourning in the rugby community.
EP, whose ranks were decimated by Covid for their opening two matches, are bottom of the log and facing an uphill battle to sneak into the Currie Cup playoff berths.
After Saturday’s match in Gqeberha, EP play their final league game against the Falcons in Kempton Park.
“A win over the Eagles is something we would like to deliver for our former president,” Slater said.
“He did so much work to make EP a more professional set-up.
“So now the team want to leave a good legacy for Mr Rademan and do what he would have liked us to do.
“I think the boys will play their hearts out on Saturday.
“We will do everything we can to try make sure he smiles down on us from above.
“A win would be very good for the entire region.”
Slater is expecting a tough match against the Eagles, who thumped the Border Bulldogs 50-29 in their last outing.
“It is very important that we end on a high and win our last two games against the Eagles and Falcons.
“But it will not be easy because as much as EP want a win, so do our opponents.
“I am predicting that it will be a very hard match against the Eagles.”
The previously winless Eagles produced a superb performance to claim their first win of the campaign against the Bulldogs.
SWD’s try scorers were Tuan van Rensburg, Marquit September (three), Nkosikhona Masuku, Lazner Nxele and Kirsten Heyns (two).
If EP want to post their second win of the season they will have to ensure they find a way to keep out an attack-minded Eagles outfit.
After suffering a heavy 41-20 defeat against the Bulldogs, EP coach Peter de Villiers said his team was still growing.
EP came unstuck at the Police Ground in East London when Border outscored them by six tries to three.
The Griffons have set a hot pace in the First Division, winning four of their opening five matches to give them a healthy tally of points.
With two rounds to be played, the log standings, with matches played in brackets are: Griffons 20 (five), Leopards 16 (four), Boland 15 (four), Falcons 12 (four), SWD Eagles six (five), Border Bulldogs (six) four, EP Elephants six (four).
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