RUGBY history will be made when the EP Kings face the Pumas in the Absa Currie Cup First Division final at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).
Rugby officials said this would be the first time a major Currie Cup final in either the Premier or First Division would be staged in the city.
When the Kings qualified for their previous two finals in 2010 and last year, both matches were played away.
EP won the Currie Cup First Division final in George in 2010 when they beat the SWD Eagles 16-12 and in last year's final they went down 43-12 to Boland in Wellington.
This year the final will be played in PE because the Kings, thanks to their unbeaten run of 14 league matches, ended top of the First Division table.
Thanks to their 50-27 semifinal win over the Leopards on Friday, the Kings have now stretched their unbeaten run to 15 matches.
"I have asked a number of people about whether this is a first for the metro and none of them can recall a final ever being played here before," EP chief executive Anele Pamba said.
"That goes back to the days when EP played in the top tier of the Currie Cup.
"This is going to be a special occasion and a memorable day for rugby fans.
"At last the puzzle is coming together for the Kings and everyone is very excited about hosting a final."
EP Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said as far as he could recall Port Elizabeth had never previously hosted a final.
"We had a much better crowd for our semifinal against the Leopards and I am sure even more fans will come to Saturday's final. A big crowd is very important to the team," Solomon said.
Stadium officials said more than 5000 fans attended Friday's semifinal showdown and an even bigger crowd was expected on Saturday.
The Kings team to face the Pumas will be named today and EP will need to find a new skipper after Luke Watson was ruled out for the rest of the season after fracturing a foot in the semifinal.
After Saturday's eagerly awaited final, the Kings will play the team finishing bottom of the Currie Cup Premier Division in a promotion relegation clash.
The first game will be played at the home of the Premier Division outfit on October 20 and the second in Port Elizabeth a week later.
Possible opponents could come from Western Province (20 points), Griquas (20), Cheetahs (18) and Bulls (18) who are all languishing near the foot of the Premier Division table.
The Kings' playoff opponents will be decided after this weekend's final round of Premier Division fixtures.
Friday: Sharks v Griquas, Durban 7.10pm.
Saturday: WP v Free State, Cape Town 5.05pm, Lions v Blue Bulls, Johannesburg 7.10pm.
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