Bad news just keeps on coming for hapless EP Kings

22 August 2016 - 18:07 By Craig Ray

The bad news just keeps on coming for the EP Kings‚ who will be without skipper Schalk Ferreira for the rest of the Currie Cup campaign after he was ruled out with a groin injury. Ferreira sustained the injury against the Boland Cavaliers two weeks ago and after further investigation‚ was ruled out on Monday. Troubled EP Kings face fresh challenges with a 'can do' attitudeThere is nothing like facing challenges square on with a good attitude. Lock Cornell Hess has also been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury to add further strain on the Kings’ meagre playing resources. EP Kings bailout in doubt after the Democratic Alliance wins Nelson Mandela Bay metroIt was a sleepless weekend in Port Elizabeth as coach EP Kings coach Barend Pieterse along with Southern Kings chief executive Charl Crous scoured the country for players. Following the game against the Blue Bulls last Saturday‚ which the Kings lost 49-35‚ coach Barend Pieterse said a number of players were battered and bruised‚ but not seriously hurt. Pieterse said Christiaan de Bruin‚ who was stretchered off the field in the dying minutes of the match‚ had been cleared by the medical staff. "He is a bit stiff and sore‚ but has passed his concussion test. He will be managed on a day to day basis under the supervision of the medical staff‚" Pieterse said. The Kings have a tough 11 days ahead starting with the match against Western Province this Friday.As they missed the opening weekend due to financial problems‚ they might also have to play that game against Griquas next Wednesday before their next scheduled encounter against the Free State Cheetahs on September 3. “There is a chance that we might be playing three games in seven days‚ because of the first game that we lost‚” Pieterse said. “We will have to see where we can rest one or two players‚ because you can't expect all of this group to play three games in seven days. “At the moment depth is going to be a problem. However‚ there is always something we can do and unfortunately‚ we can't do anything about the games we play‚ but there is something we can do to make sure we have enough players.” Making up the fixture against Griquas on August 31 is also tough of the northern Cape side‚ who will have to play five days after facing the Pumas in Nelspruit this coming Friday. But at least they have a bye after the scheduled meeting against the EP Kings...

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