The time for talking is over and the EP Elephants will be under massive pressure to deliver a much-needed win when they face the SWD Eagles at the Wolfson Stadium on Saturday.
After being soundly beaten 34-6 by Boland in their opening SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash, the margin for error will be small in round two of the competition.
Elephants skipper Lubabalo “Giant” Mtyanda knows another defeat would be disastrous as EP mount a serious bid for honours.
EP will start the with their confidence boosted following an impressive 40-21 win over SWD in a warm-up match in Plettenberg Bay last month.
The absence of head coach Chumani Booi and the late withdrawal of three key players hampered the EP Elephants when they were beaten 34-6 by Boland, EP manager Thando Manana said.
“We were very disappointed with the loss against Boland, but we have not lost an inch of hope,” Manana said.
Booi was on duty with the Isuzu Southern Kings PRO14 side in Bloemfontein, and Xandre Vos, Jurie van Vuuren and Ntabeni Dukisa were late withdrawals from the EP side which played in Wellington.
“This time Chumani will have all the time to map and execute his coaching duties ahead of the game against Eagles,” Manana said.
“His absence was sorely felt for the Boland game because of his PRO14 duties. The assistant coaches are inexperienced and my responsibilities as manager are for matters off the field.
“The Elephants have taken that loss against Boland with a good heart and for me that is very important. We will work on our mistakes and what went wrong. We will watch the videos and do our reviews.
“I think playing at home we will show we are a team of opportunities. They guys will need to be strong and strength will take us through against SWD.
We are not making any excuses and now we know what to expect in the competition and we will take the knock and hold our heads up high,” Manana said.
At the start of the season, EP president Andre Rademan challenged his new-look Elephants squad to charge all the way into the final of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
“It was not a good season last year and we accept that,” Rademan said.
“I believe we can reach the final of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge. It will be hard, but with this coaching staff we can reach it,” he said.
“There is so much talent in this province, and we will tap into the talent in club rugby.“If we can blend the PRO14 and best club players, who knows what lies ahead for EP.
“We are all excited about the road ahead. “As a team I think we have big chance of winning this thing,” captain Mtyanda said.
“In sport you always work under pressure and results are expected of you. “So the guys are feeling the pressure, but they are very excited to showcase what we have in this team and what we can do.
“The pressure will be there and the guys know that it is there. “We have been talking about that and we need to perform under those circumstances.”
EP head coach Chumani Booi agreed with his captain that there was a lot of pressure on the Elephants to perform.
“There is a lot of excitement around EP Rugby this season from within the team and from the public,” Booi said.
The Elephants squad:
Forwards: Tembekile Boltina, Mihlali Mpafi, Justin Forwood, Xandre Vos, Luvuyo Pupuma, Pieter Scholtz, Lubabalo Mtyanda (capt), Anele Lungisa, Diego Williams, Stephan de Wit, Zingisa April, Reynach van Wyk, Lindokuhle Welemu.
Backline: Michael Botha, Meli Rokoua, Richmond Gora, Athenkosi  Mayinje, Oliver Zono, Ntabeni Dukisa, Ruan van Rensburg, Mike Makase, Tristan Fourie, Martin du Toit, Somila Mantyoyi, Sonwabo Majola.
Saturday’s programme:
9am: Qaphelani HS vs Phakamisa HS
10:10am: Ndzondelelo HS vs Mzontsundu HS
11:20amL NMU vs Star of Hope (women)
12:30 African Bombers vs Kareedouw Tigers (women)
1:30pm Zwide 1st Team vs Thistles
3:30pm: EP Elephants vs SWD.