Covid-19 blow for De Villiers and EP players

NEWS: Eastern Province head coach Peter de Villiers and 11 of his players have tested positive for Covid-19.

Eastern Province Rugby Union president Andre Rademan revealed the news in a letter addressed to the union’s executive committee and staff.

That letter was subsequently shared on social media.

The Elephants suffered a 7-74 defeat to the Cheetahs in a pre-season friendly last weekend.

They were set to face Griquas in another pre-season match on Saturday, but the match has now been cancelled.

Eastern Province are scheduled to open their First Division campaign against the Leopards on June 19.

A Covid-19 bomb hit EP rugby on Tuesday when 11 players — and coach Peter de Villiers — tested positive for the virus, forcing a key warm-up match against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday to be cancelled. https://t.co/Pezg2Va0hB

— HeraldLIVE (@HeraldNMB) June 8, 2021