AFTER nine years campaigning in the lower ranks, a golden chance has presented itself for the Eastern Province Kings to bounce back to top-flight rugby next season.
If the Kings beat the Pumas in tonight's Currie Cup playoff second leg at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, they will be promoted to the elite league. Kickoff is at 7.05pm.
The match could go either way after the teams drew 36-all in an intriguing first-leg clash in Witbank, Mpumalanga, last weekend.
But the Kings are hot favourites to emerge victorious this time round as they are playing on home soil.
The visitors are expected to put up a fight to maintain their status in the elite Premier Division next season.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Kings coach Allan Solomons said they have been waiting for a while for this opportunity.
"The boys are well prepared to win this game. They have worked hard to reach this stage and I don't see them surrendering to the Pumas," Solomons said.
"All the players are in the right frame mind and are looking forward to a tough challenge."
The Kings' influential fullback and captain Mzwandile Stick will be watching his teammates from the stands after he injured a collarbone in Witbank.
He will be replaced by the attack-minded Tony Fenner who joined the team in September from Otahuhu in Auckland, New Zealand.
Promotion beckons for Kings
AFTER nine years campaigning in the lower ranks, a golden chance has presented itself for the Eastern Province Kings to bounce back to top-flight rugby next season.
If the Kings beat the Pumas in tonight's Currie Cup playoff second leg at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, they will be promoted to the elite league. Kickoff is at 7.05pm.
The match could go either way after the teams drew 36-all in an intriguing first-leg clash in Witbank, Mpumalanga, last weekend.
But the Kings are hot favourites to emerge victorious this time round as they are playing on home soil.
The visitors are expected to put up a fight to maintain their status in the elite Premier Division next season.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Kings coach Allan Solomons said they have been waiting for a while for this opportunity.
"The boys are well prepared to win this game. They have worked hard to reach this stage and I don't see them surrendering to the Pumas," Solomons said.
"All the players are in the right frame mind and are looking forward to a tough challenge."
The Kings' influential fullback and captain Mzwandile Stick will be watching his teammates from the stands after he injured a collarbone in Witbank.
He will be replaced by the attack-minded Tony Fenner who joined the team in September from Otahuhu in Auckland, New Zealand.
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