Contingency plans to assist the cash-strapped Eastern Province Rugby Union will be addressed at a SA Rugby special general meeting on Friday.

According to the EP Herald, EPRU president Cheeky Watson is expected to attend when a potential rescue plan will be put before SA Rugby delegates. The special meeting, which will follow Friday's annual meeting, has been requested in order to address the financial woes that have beset EP Rugby.

The contingency plan has apparently been drawn up by SA Rugby's vice-president Mark Alexander as a backup plan after EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd was placed under provisional liquidation at the beginning of March.

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 stands to be made final.

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