Cape Town - The Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) was liquidated in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday.

READ: Watson at EP for political reasons - Gerber

According to the SA Rugby mag website, the cash-strapped EPRU was placed under provisional liquidation on March 10 after failing to resolve its ongoing financial problems, which has seen the union unable to pay players’ salaries.

Joint liquidation proceedings on behalf of 36 players were first heard in the PE High Court, with EP Rugby (Pty) Ltd being given until May 10 to settle the outstanding debts or face the prospect of the order becoming final.

A rescue business plan was believed to be on the card, which saw court proceedings postponed until August 4.

But a suitable sponsor could not be found and the union was officially liquidated on Thursday.

The EP Kings are also set to be excluded from the upcoming Currie Cup Premier Division - for which they qualified automatically courtesy of their Super Rugby status.

