The Eastern Province Kings have made minimal changes to their side to face the Sharks XV at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban on Friday night. This will also be their final match of this years Vodacom Cup competition.
Both teams come off a win in their last game. The Sharks had an easy run in against the Tusker Simba XV in Cape Town, scoring 4 tries to none to beat them 40 – 3. The Eastern Province Kings had a much tougher encounter in Port Elizabeth against Boland, beating them 28 – 21.
Albe de Swardt will once again captain the side with Ntabeni Dukisa as vice captain.
Changes amongst the forwards sees Stefan Willemse moving from flank to lock, to replace Louis Fourie who fractured his cheekbone against Boland. Siphesihle Punguzwa will be coming up from the bench to start at lock.
The backline also sees two changes. Sergeal Petersen, who was named part of the Junior Springbok squad, will replace Ofentse Boloko on the left wing, with Malcolm Jaer replacing Masixole Banda at the back.
Eastern Province Kings coach, Mzwandile Stick said Jaer, who was still at Brandwag last year, would be given an opportunity to start in the final game of the season.
“I have always kept to my word, and have said that this competition is about giving the youngsters an opportunity to show what they are capable of.”
“I want them to give their best and run with the ball if the opportunities present themselves.”
“I want them to know that they can play at this level. They will be playing against a team that has already qualified (for the quarter finals) and it will be a tough game,” he said.
EP Kings:15 Malcom Jaer 14 Eben Barnard 13 Michael Bernardt 12 Andile Jho 11 Sergeal Petersen 10 Ntabeni Dukisa 9 Dwyne Kelly 8 Aidon Davis 7 Siphesihle Punguzwa 6 Thembelani Bholi 5 Cameron Lindsay 4 Stefan Willemse 3 Pieter Stemmet 2 Albe de Swardt (c) 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Reserves: 16 Dane van der Westhuyzen 17 Simon Kerrod 18 Tyler Paul 19 Ivan-John du Preez 20 Kayle van Zyl 21 Morne Hugo 22 Brian Skosana
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Steven Sykes, Luke Watson?…where are they?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 1) : no clue, but not complaining
Is this game televised? I’ve seen one Sharks XV game on TV so far.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 1) : they haven’t played during the Vodacom Cup, been preparing for the CC
@Big Fish (Comment 3) : yes it is
@pierre_mackie (Comment 5) : that’s good news.
Won’t help me a fig, though. 🙁
@pierre_mackie (Comment 4) : Anyone else being wrapped in cotton wool? 😈
@pierre_mackie (Comment 4) :
What is the rationale behind that? Surely a player who last played a full game of rugby in November last year will take a few weeks to get back to fitness?
I understand giving the youngsters a shot, but you would want to try your best to qualify for the quarter finals at least?!
Can’t believe that no Super Rugby team did not draft Sergeal Petersen to play.
@pierre_mackie (Comment 5) :
Thanks uncle. Great news.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) : agree with you Rich, would’ve played my best team, let the guys start early on gelling and playing as a unit. The guys are fit, but your best way to prepare is game time, in my opinion.
Lets hope we will see them in the warm ups during the June Incoming Tour Series, warm ups against Wales, Bulls and Sharks
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 7) : Theres a few that haven’t played during VC
@Big Fish (Comment 10) : Wies jou uncle 😆
@pierre_mackie (Comment 13) :
Jy weet mos 😆
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Get a walka or stream the game then
@Dunx (Comment 15) : Walka works off the satellite feed, so won’t work in the UK.
Also, there’s no legal way to stream Vodacom Cup to the UK, because SuperSport has the rights in Africa only.
@robdylan (Comment 16) : The Walka actually works off a DVB-H signal (that’s why there’s only coverage in the larger cities) but end result is the same for you either way.
Cameron Lindsay was the Mkchaelhouse captain in 2009. Also played Craven Week for KZN. PLayed at age group level for province, but didn’t quite cut it. Had a stellar season for the Madibaz.
@money (Comment 18) : there’s a few that represented Sharks at age group.
Dwayne Kelly went to Westville Boys, represented Natal u16 and u18 academy team, u19 and Sharks 7s
Michael Barnardt played u19/21
Simon Kerrod played u19/21 and Vodacom Cup
@robdylan (Comment 16) : don’t worry even here in S.A we do not see all the Vodacom Cup games.
@pierre_mackie (Comment 19) : Willemse also played a bit of u21 for us
@pierre_mackie (Comment 19) : Kelly was Westvilles 1st XV Captain as well as the Sharks 7’s captain. How is it that the Sharks loose talented young players..??