South African Rugby Union President, Mark Alexander, has given his personal backing to a club rugby tournament that will see his former mentor and ex-Saru president, the late Ebrahim Patel, being honoured.
The first-ever Ebrahim Patel Community Cup (EPCC) tournament will take place from 17 to 21 April in George with eight well-known Western, Southern and Eastern Cape teams that have already been confirmed.
From the Boland region 2023 Boland Top 12 champions, Safcol from Grabouw and last year’s Top 12 winners Robertson Town will head to the Southern Cape while Western Province Super League A club, St Georges from Strand has also accepted an invite.
Eastern Province Grand Challenge teams, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) Harlequins and Gardens (Kariega/Uitenhage) is also heading to George.
Meanwhile the South Western District’s joint Premier League champions Groot Brak and Heidelberg – after playing to an entertaining draw in the 2024 final - and third-placed Bridgton will represent the host union at this year’s annual EPPC.
The idea for a tournament played in homage of the late Patel, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 78, was first tested by Tournament Director, Romano Lekay, last year. When a clash for the Ebrahim Patel Cup between Safcol and the University of Stellenbosch (Maties) took place at Grabouw Sports Grounds, with close to 4,000 supporters rocking up to watch the clash between the champion clubs of Boland and Western Province.
Up to this point, Patel, the first black president of the then South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU), had not been truly honoured for the work he had done in unifying a polarising sport such as rugby, which, post-Apartheid, had divided so many South African citizens.
SARU boss Alexander however believes this year’s inaugural EPCC can go a long way to ensuring Patel’s legacy of unification lives on and tells this website:
A tournament like this serves as a significant tribute to Mr. Patel's legacy. As the former head of SA Rugby, he played a pivotal role in unifying the sport during a transformative period in our country's history. This tournament not only honours his contributions but also serves as a reminder of the power of sport in bringing people together.
He (Patel) was an inspirational figure in my journey as both a rugby player and an administrator. His dedication and passion for the sport were unparalleled. He was a mentor who taught me the values of integrity, perseverance, and inclusivity, which have guided me throughout my career.
According to Alexander paying respect to leaders like Mr. Patel is crucial.
Their vision and efforts have shaped the sport and its community. This tournament has the potential to grow into a prominent event, fostering community development and inspiring future generations to uphold the values that Mr. Patel stood for.
Alexander also believes hosting the tournament in George hits all the right notes and says:
Hosting this event in George is indeed fitting. The city has a rich history of successful tournaments, and it is wonderful to see it continue to be a hub for significant rugby events. The community's enthusiasm and support make it an ideal location to celebrate Mr. Patel's legacy.
