The EP Elephants kicked off their 2025 Currie Cup First Division campaign with a hard-fought 36-31 bonus-point victory over the SWD Eagles on Saturday, June 14, at Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha. Despite a clinical first half where they scored four tries, the Elephants faced a dramatic second-half comeback from the Eagles, holding on through a resilient defensive effort to claim the five points and start the season on a positive note.
The Elephants dominated early, capitalizing on opportunities with precision. The team’s set-piece and exit strategies were on point, showcasing the attacking flair that defined their SA Cup campaign. However, the second half saw a stark turnaround. The Eagles mounted a comeback that narrowed the gap to 36-31 at the final whistle. The Elephants’ errors – poor kick-off handling, ineffective exits, and soft penalties – allowed SWD to capitalize, especially after captain Stefan Willemse left the field with a bruised rib.
Coach Allister Coetzee reflected on the mixed performance. “It’s good to start the campaign with a bonus-point victory. The first half was really clinical; we did the basics well and took our opportunities, scoring four tries. But the second half was the opposite and their comeback stemmed from our mistakes. We were inaccurate, made silly errors, couldn’t exit properly, and got bogged down in our half. At 56 minutes, we were 36-12 up, but that was our last score. Conceding penalties and turnovers hurt us, compounded by the captain’s injury, which sent the guys into panic mode.”
Despite the challenges, Coetzee praised the team’s grit. “Fortunately, they hung in under the Eagles’ pressure and closed it out. The defensive effort at the end was pleasing, but we’ve got work to do—too many chances created and not finished. We dominated but coughed up opportunities, making it tough in the end.”
Injuries pose a significant concern, with lock Willemse sidelined by a bruised rib and fellow lock Hannes Huisamen likely out with a fractured finger. “It’s challenging, especially with the locks,” Coetzee added. “We need to see how we replace them to the best of our ability this week.”
The Elephants face the NovaVit Griffons next on June 21 in Welkom, with plans to reintegrate players and address injuries in the week ahead.
