Favourites Western Province are targeting an impressive 16th consecutive win in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge when they face the EP Elephants at the Police Rugby Club at Kemsley Park tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).
The fortunes of the two sides could not be more contrasting ahead of a fifthround showdown where WP are overwhelming favourites to emerge with the spoils.
While table-topping South Section leaders WP have swept all before them, bottom-placed EP are still on the hunt for a first win.
While the hastily assembled EP side is comprised mainly of club players, WP are a professional team – and they enjoyed an extensive pre-season.
Ahead of their trip to Port Elizabeth, WP forwards coach Hanyani Shimange spoke about the winning streak.
“It’s nothing we actively discuss because we’re not out there chasing some record,” Shimange said.
“We just try to turn up week in and week out, and I think we quite enjoy playing out in the communities, for example we’ve got a bus trip back to Cape Town like the old days.
“So we enjoy that rather than focusing on some unbeaten record – that will take care of itself.”
Despite the winning streak, the former Springbok hooker said the competition had been closer this year.“The different environments do make it challenging – sometimes you go to stadiums that aren’t closed off so there’s a big wind factor.
“But we’re a second year into it so we’re probably better prepared.”
Last year, WP completed a dream season in the inaugural Rugby Challenge by beating Griquas to become the first winners of the tournament.
The victory, their 11th in a row, delivered R500 000 in prize money.
When the sides met at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele on the opening day of the season, WP cruised to a comfortable 59-12 win against their hosts.
It was an early indication that WP, who scored nine sparkling tries against EP, will once again be the team to beat this season.
But, despite the odds being heavily stacked against his squad, EP coach Ryan Felix has vowed that his team will not go down without a fight.
EP’s losses against the Border Bulldogs and Boland Cavaliers were closely run affairs and Felix still hopes his team can spring a major shock.
“WP are beatable if you have the right material and if you use your opportunities,” Felix said.
“When my boys go out they will give it their all. My team have big hearts.”