The Eastern Province has traditionally been a feeder province: brilliant school rugby players would be sourced from various schools and would complete their tertiary education at institutions such as UCT, Stellenbosch, Wits and Tukkies.
Schools in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch, East London, Grahamstown Queenstown, Cradock and Somerset East would produce talent that would have the rest of South Africa salivating, whipping out their cheque books to ensure these kids participation at their rugby unions.
Below is a list of the rugby players who have moved provinces to further their careers. Imagine what might have been for the Eastern Cape if they had stayed home and played their rugby!
Two rugby legends, and darlings of the Newlands rugby faithful were educated at Gill College in Somerset East. Yes, Carel du Plessis (the Prince of Wings) and Michael du Plessis learnt their rugby on the very hard winter fields of Somerset East. Lets not forget Willie du Plessis, their older brother, who also played Springboks!
Rassie Erasmus grew up in Despatch. Hennie le Roux learnt his rugby at Graeme College, Grahamstown and was part of a team that dominated in 1986 and 1987. Their backline was unstoppable. He started is senior rugby career at Eastern Province and ended up with Transvaal.
Garth Wright was educated at Muir College and then played for Eastern Province and then Transvaal.
His debut was against the New Zealand Cavaliers. Remember them? The unofficial All Blacks. Footage of those games have been buried in the archives, never to be seen again.
When Garth Wright replaced Divan Serfontein at scrum half, the backline consisted of Garth Wright, Naas Botha, Michael du Plessis, Danie Gerber, Carel du Plessis, Ray Mordt and Johan Heunis. Four of the seven backline players learnt their trade in the Eastern Cape.
Os du Randt was schooled at Piet Retief (as it was called then) in Adelaide. Apart from his rugby skills he was a member of the 4 X 100m relay team.
Brent Russell and Mark Andrews were schooled at Selborne. Russell Bennett and Nick Mallett attended St Andrews College in Grahamstown.
Danie Gerber, who I regard as the greatest centre ever to play for South Africa, was a loyal servant of Eastern Province until he moved to Western Province in the twilight of his career. He was still fast enough to represent WP on the wing!
If the Eastern Province can retain 50% of its rugby talent through the Southern Kings franchise (a lot of effort has been put into an academy), who knows what the future can bring for the Southern Kings? Success?
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Article source: http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/The-Souther-Kings-The-Rebirth-of-Eastern-Province-Rugby-20120817