The Southern Kings have named their side to take on the Western Force in their historic first Super Rugby game, in Port Elizabeth this weekend. Luke Watson captains the side from the number 8 position.
Former Sharks centre Andries Strauss partners Ronnie Cooke in a strong midfield, with another experienced campaigner in former Stormer Demetri Catrikilis in the number 10 jersey.
Up front, Steven Sykes joins former Lion David Bullbring in the second row, while Schalk Ferraira is preferred to veteran Jaco Engels at loosehead. Along with Watson and Strauss, hooker Bandsie Maku completes the international contingent in the team.
Daniel Adongo has been included on the bench and will cover the second row.
Southern Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Steven Sykes, 4 David Bulbring, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 Daniel Adongo, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht , 20 Johan Herbst, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Eish! No 6 flanker allowed for the Kings?
@KingCheetah (Comment 1) : Read again. The Kings are still learning how the big boys do team sheets.
@KingCheetah (Comment 1) : you don’t think Cornell du Preez counts?
Ok, ok… the team list is out of order. But he is there.
Whoever is doing releases on behalf of the Kings needs to learn how to count in reverse order.
Force by 35
@Mutley (Comment 4) : 45
Pockets of good players but hardly a winning team.
You guys are going to be surprised, I think. You’re forgetting exactly how shockingly shit the Force are…
@robdylan (Comment 7) : after watching bits of the friday game i will be surprised if the force do win by 15
I’m going against the grain here; I really hope the Kings do well.
the Lions had their turn, several turns actually, and they were consistently pooh.
Glad to see Watson back playing SuperRugby. Personality aside, too good a player to be wasted.
And I think being the captain in his home province will do him good.
I expect big things of Mr. Watson this year.
KINGS 4 Life!!!!!
bring it on.
hoping for a sell-out crowd here in PE Saturday…would be great for the team…Come on Kings!!!(Sharks and Kings supporter!)
@Megatron (Comment 10) : PWAHAHAHA! Shame.
@robdylan (Comment 7) :
Sir , this , barring one player is the same side that lost to the Griquas . so yes …
and is Catrakilis not making his super rugby debut ?
@Zibbie (Comment 13) : I’d back Griquas to beat the Force 9 times out of 10 too…
@Zibbie (Comment 13) : oh crap, you’re right. I assumed he’d played for the Stormers, but he actually hasn’t.
Go kings, may the force be with you!
@robdylan (Comment 14) :
I would have been more happy if Griquas replaced the Lions in Super rugby . heck those guys deserve it …
@Zibbie (Comment 17) : really? I doubt that, to be honest.
@robdylan (Comment 18) :
He said ‘more’ happy (happier)….not just happy!
I believe him.
@Pokkel (Comment 19) :
maybe the correct term would have been less unhappy …
@Zibbie (Comment 20) :
Something like that!
This game will be fun to watch, whichever way it goes.
I’m actually looking forward to it…more so than I would have looked forward to a Lions vs. Force game.