Friday 10 February 2017

Final preparation for Kings

After giving the youngsters a run against Border last week, Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids announced a slightly different squad to the one that beat the Bulldogs, 28 - 10, in East London a week ago, as they are set to face the SWD Eagles in Port Elizabeth in their final Super Rugby warm-up match.


“Last week we gave the youngsters a chance to start, as well as guys who came back from injury. This week we are going to give the rest of the squad a chance to start, and also manage the other players’ involvement in the match,” said Davids on Thursday.

Saturday's team will also see the return of Chris Cloete, who got injured towards the end of last year's competition, along with a few new signings in Lionel Cronje, who will start at flyhalf, and Louis Schreuder who will come off the bench.

“A guy like Chris Cloete, for example, needs a certain number of minutes of game time after coming back from injury.”

The only player to retain his place in the starting line-up is experienced prop and captain, Schalk Ferreira.

“Schalk is part of our leadership group. We have assembled a very good leadership group. He is definitely one of the candidates to lead the team during the year,” the head coach said.

“He has been around a long time and knows the setup of the franchise. He understands, like the rest of the guys, that it is about merit and earning your place as a starting candidate in the team, and we will work from there.”

Davids emphasised the importance of the clash with the SWD Eagles ahead of the start of the Southern Kings’ Vodacom Super Rugby later this month.

“At this point in time, it’s about giving your best and using your opportunities. We spoke about purpose and doing whatever it takes when you get onto the field. It is important for me that when the players put on the team jersey they play with a purpose to own it – whether you were here last year or a youngster, you have to give your best.

“We have some exciting youngsters and experienced guys. In each position there is some good competition. It’s a healthy environment. The guys have to step up on Saturday and prove their worth going into our first Vodacom Super Rugby game,” Davids added.

The Eagles lost to the DHL Stormers, 14 - 57, in George last weekend.

Kick-off  is at 17h15.

Southern Kings:

15 Chrysander Botha 14 Makazole Mapimpi 13 Luzuko Vulindlu 12 Waylon Murray 11 Alshaun Bock 10 Lionel Cronje (vc) 9 Rudi van Rooyen 8 Ruan Lerm 7 Stefan Willemse 6 Andisa Ntsila 5 Mzwanele Zito 4 Sintu Manjezi 3 Ross Geldenhuys 2 Michael Willemse 1 Schalk Ferreira (capt)

Replacements:

16 Tango Balekile 17 Schalk van der Merwe 18 Justin Forwood 19 Tyler Paul 20 Cameron Lindsay 21 Chris Cloete 22 Thembelani Bholi 23 Christiaan de Bruin 24 Louis Schreuder 25 Pieter-Steyn de Wet 26 Yaw Penxe 27 Berton Klaasen 28 Johan Tromp 29 Malcolm Jaer 30 Coyi Banda

SWD Eagles:

15 Leighton Eksteen 14 Shadward Fillies 13 Kirsten Heyns 12 Wilneth Engelbrecht 11 Charlese Radebe 10 Johnny Welthagen 9 Boela Abrahams 8 Christo du Plessis 7 Devon Raubenheimer 6 Janneman Stander 5 Brendan Snyman 4 Anton Smit 3 Basil Short 2 Kelvin Fikster 1 Teunis Niewoudt

Replacements:

16 Brendon Haas 17 Juandre Digue 18 Tiaan Wyers 19 Hardus Coetzee 20 Devron Jansen 21 Friginald Africa 22 Dillon Snel 23 Rudi Michaels 24 Quaid Langeveld 25 Gideon Lambrecht 26 Rupino Plaatjies 27 Justin Bhana 28 Lorenzo Gorden 29 Leegan Moos

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