The South African Rugby Players’ Association has brought an application to liquidate EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd.

Sarpa took the action on behalf of a number of players as a result of ongoing unpaid salaries, which date as far back as September, with the application triggered by what the association described as the recent 'preferential treatment of creditors' by EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd.

In a statement released on Thursday, Saru moved to provide an assurance that the operations and participation of the Southern Kings in Super Rugby would be unaffected by the application.

'This action has no implications for the preparations or participation of the Southern Kings in Super Rugby,' Saru CEO Jurie Roux said.

'That entity is wholly owned by the South African Rugby Union and the players, coaches and management team will continue with their work as has been planned. They kick off against the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 27 February and that, and the rest of their fixtures, are unaffected.'

However, Roux said that the court action could have implications for domestic rugby in the Eastern Province.

'There will be questions about what this means for the EP Kings in the Currie Cup and for the administration of amateur rugby in the Eastern Province. We have also been asked if SA Rugby will be “taking over”. Constitutionally, SA Rugby can only become involved in the administration of a union if it is invited in, or if a union fails to put in place recommended corrective measures.

'But, in the first instance, the Eastern Province Rugby Union, as the sole shareholder in EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, will have to address the court action before anything else can happen.'

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images