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Cape Town - When the Eastern Province Kings host Western Province in Port Elizabeth on Friday night it will be the first time these foes have clashed in a Currie Cup game in 15 years.
VIDEO: EP Kings v WP preview
EP last played in the Currie Cup Premier Division back in 2002 and the last time they met WP in a top-flight game was in 1999.
It is a far cry from the old amateur days when EP were regular customers in the Premier Division. However, the advent of professionalism in 1996 saw the men from the friendly city fall from grace and it was only recently, when SARU raised the need for a team from the Eastern Cape to participate in Super Rugby, that there was a change in fortunes for the union.
Kings coach Carlos Spencer said it would be important for the team not to let emotion get the better of them.
"It's a big thing that we are playing in the Premier Division and it a means a lot to a lot of people," he told Die Burger.
"But we can't let our emotions run away with us. I also want my guys to enjoy the moment and not creep into their shells."
Kick-off for the season's first Currie Cup game is scheduled for 19:10 on Friday.
Teams:
EP Kings:
15 Scott van Breda, 14 Ronnie Cooke, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Tobie Botes, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steven Cummins, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka/BG Uys
Substitutes: 16 Albe de Swardt, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Darron Nell, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa
Western Province:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh (captain), 12. Michael van der Spuy, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Alistair Vermaak
Substitutes: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Jean Kleyn, 19. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Robert du Preez, 22. Pat Howard
VIDEO: EP Kings v WP preview
EP last played in the Currie Cup Premier Division back in 2002 and the last time they met WP in a top-flight game was in 1999.
It is a far cry from the old amateur days when EP were regular customers in the Premier Division. However, the advent of professionalism in 1996 saw the men from the friendly city fall from grace and it was only recently, when SARU raised the need for a team from the Eastern Cape to participate in Super Rugby, that there was a change in fortunes for the union.
Kings coach Carlos Spencer said it would be important for the team not to let emotion get the better of them.
"It's a big thing that we are playing in the Premier Division and it a means a lot to a lot of people," he told Die Burger.
"But we can't let our emotions run away with us. I also want my guys to enjoy the moment and not creep into their shells."
Kick-off for the season's first Currie Cup game is scheduled for 19:10 on Friday.
Teams:
EP Kings:
15 Scott van Breda, 14 Ronnie Cooke, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Tobie Botes, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steven Cummins, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka/BG Uys
Substitutes: 16 Albe de Swardt, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Darron Nell, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa
Western Province:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh (captain), 12. Michael van der Spuy, 11. Seabelo Senatla, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Alistair Vermaak
Substitutes: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Jean Kleyn, 19. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Robert du Preez, 22. Pat Howard
