SA Rugby will continue to conduct contingency planning after EP Rugby was placed under provisional liquidation on Thursday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

The provisional court order has afforded EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd until 10 May to address the financial woes that led to a joint liquidation application being brought on behalf of 36 players. Claims for unpaid wages and damages are said to total more than R18-million.

If EP Rugby is unable to resolve its financial problems before 10 May, the provisional liquidation then stands to be made final, while placing the union’s financial affairs further under the microscope.

EP Rugby has insisted that the provisional liquidation will not negatively impact the EP Kings’ preparations for the upcoming Currie Cup.

The majority of the Currie Cup squad in training are made up of academy or junior players, who have been receiving wages.

A SA Rugby spokesman said: ‘SA Rugby is monitoring the situation in EP and is acutely aware of the needs of the union. We have been working behind the scenes with contingency planning and once governance processes have been completed we will be able to announce what those plans are.’

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images