Mainly club players will be thrown into battle for the cashstrapped EP Elephants when they play their opening Currie Cup First Division match against the Boland Cavaliers in Robertson on Saturday.
While the Southern Kings landed a mega sponsorship deal on Monday, the Elephants are still struggling to compete in professional rugby because of a lack of funding.
Last year the EP side lost all seven of the matches they played in the Currie Cup and their prospects for the new campaign are not encouraging.
In the recently completed SuperSport Rugby Challenge Eastern Province were the worst-performing team in their section, winning only one of eight matches.
There was speculation that the Elephants might forfeit their opening game, but that was denied by EP Rugby president Andre Rademan.
“Irrespective of the scoreline, EP will honour their fixture and we will play with club players,” Rademan said.
“I am confident we will see a stronger Currie Cup side with the benefits of the new Isuzu sponsorship deal.
“The problem is we had to start building from the top. Our EP UP19 team has been losing by heavy scores this season. We are playing amateurs in a professional league.
“Now that there are plans for an academy, things will filter up through the juniors. This new sponsorship will change the franchise for good.”
EP are expecting to face a tough challenge from last year’s semifinalists.
The First Division teams will kick off their season this weekend following weeks of preparation, with the matches in George, Robertson, Windhoek and Kempton Park marking the first of seven action-packed pool rounds.
Friday’s opening encounter between the SWD Eagles and Leopards in George will mark a historic day in the Currie Cup First Division.
SA’s top woman referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron, will become the first woman to officiate a match at this level.
In Saturday’s clashes the Welwitschias will host the defending champions, the Griffons, in Windhoek and, the Falcons take on the Border Bulldogs in Kempton Park.