EP Kings Head Coach, Carlos Spencer, kept his word when he said we will see a different side to the one that played the Bulls a fortnight ago, when they face the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.
Spencer made 9 changes to his starting line up that beat the Bulls XV 66 – 28.
EP Kings captain and eigthman, Luke Watson, lock Steven Cummins, flank Thembelani Bholi, centre Tim Whitehead, wing Siviwe Soyizwapi and fullback Scott van Breda are the only players retaining their starting positions.
Amongst the forwards we see a whole new front row as Lizo Gqoboka, Albe de Swardt and Charl du Plessis replaces BG Uys, Edgar Marutlulle and Simon Kerrod.
David Bullbring, who was part of the Southern Kings Super Rugby Squad in 2013, rejoins the Kings after a short spell at the Bulls, and will be taking over from Cameron Lindsay at lock. On the flank Devin Oosthuizen replaces Paul Schoeman.
There are also a few new faces that will feature in the backline, with one positional change.
Italian scrumhalf, Tobie Botes will have his first outing for the Kings as he replaces Jaco Grobler. Gary van Aswegen, who is on trial from Western Province takes over from George Whitehead. Siviwe Soyizwapi changes from right wing to left, as he replace Ntabeni Dukisa to make way for Siyanda Grey on the right wing.
Shane Gates will start at inside centre as he takes over from Dwyne Jenner.
New faces on the bench includes, Michael van Vuuren, Shaun McDonald, Enrico Acker and IRB Junior World Cup Finalist, Sergeal Petersen.
Kick-off will be at 7pm. (not televised)
EP Kings:
15 Scott van Breda 14 Siyanda Grey 13 Tim Whitehead 12 Shane Gates 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi 10 Gary van Aswegen 9 Tobie Botes 8 Luke Watson 7 Devin Oosthuizen 6 Thembelani Bholi 5 David Bullbring 4 Steven Cummins 3 Charl du Plessis 2 Albe de Swardt 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Reserves:
16 Michael van Vuuren 17 Tom Botha 18 Brenden Olivier 19 Cameron Lindsay 20 Shaun McDonald 21 Enrico Acker 22 George Whitehead 23 Sergeal Petersen
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Does anybody know what the Sharks XV will look like??
Pierre, do you think the Kings should be playing Tim at outside centre? Distribution is such a strong part of his game, isn’t he wasted there?
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : He doesn’t have the pace for 13 and he’s Aaron Mauger-like at 12. I agree that he should be played at 12.
Where is Steven Sykes ?
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : @ChrisS (Comment 3) : ja agree Tim is a 12. Still a bit sad JW did not give him chance to play next to Steyn. I atill rate him as a really good 12.
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : its his second week at 13, maybe Carlos saw something he liked at 13? Will b interesting to see what happens when Ronnie Cooke gets back, to see who plays where
@Observer (Comment 4) : Sykes is still out, picked up a foot injury
Can anybody tell me why just about all the write-ups fir this game are calling it a “Super Rugby Friendly” when it really doesn’t have anything to do with Super Rugby at all! Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to watch the game…I’m a bit bummed that it’s not televised…or that I’m not in the Eastern Cape this weekend…but to call it a “Super Rugby Friednly?” I don’t think so…
@pastorshark (Comment 8) : maybe you shouldnt be reading so many different write ups 😉
@pierre_mackie (Comment 6) : I have a pet theory that Tim would have made a great flyhalf (if he had a kicking game of course).
@Observer (Comment 4) : Sykes injured the muscle underneath his foot, out for 12 weeks, been out for 3 already