EP Kings head coach, Brent Janse van Rensburg opted for continuity in his team selection when they travel to Durban to face the Sharks for their second ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division match at Kingspark on Saturday.
Siyanda Grey is the only change in the backline as he replaces Sylvina Mahuza on the right wing. Mahuza falls out of the match day 22 to make way for an extra forward in Lizo Gqoboka, who comes in on the bench to add some extra muscle to the forwards.
“We have brought Siyanda into the team as we believe he has what it takes to curb the type of rugby the Sharks will bring to the game,” Janse van Rensburg said.
With the scrum being an issue for the Kings last weekend, Janse van Rensburg was happier with the five-two split and felt they could benefit from an extra front row player on the bench.
“We have focused on our scrums to make sure we fix what the problems were and we know we have to focus on the scrum as a united effort,” Janse van Rensburg added.
“The Sharks are a very good side, with a strong set piece and big backs, so it will be a tough match,” captain Luke Watson added. “The Lions game was a bit of a wake-up call, but we know what areas we have had to work on and hopefully we will come back a bit more polished this week.”
EP Kings:
15 Scott van Breda 14 Siyanda Grey 13 JP du Plessis 12 Tim Whitehead (vc) 11 Luther Obi 10 George Whitehead 9 Enrico Acker 8 Tim Agaba 7 Stefan Willemse 6 Luke Watson (c) 5 Cornell Hess 4 Steven Sykes 3 Tom Botha 2 Martin Ferreira 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements:
16 Edgar Marutlulle 17 Lizo Gqoboka 18 Simon Kerrod 19 Paul Schoeman 20 Jacques Engelbrecht 21 Kevin Luiters 22 Karlo Aspeling
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Their coach seems more confident in the Sharks than we do…
@pastorshark (Comment 1) : Well technically we lost by less than they did last week sooo…
Is this the same JP du Plessis that was touted for being the next legendary Springbok centre?!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) : Don’t know if he was touted as such. Battled to nail down a start at the Cheetahs. Rayno Benjamin, Sadie and Venter were the preferred options.
@SheldonK (Comment 2) :
Who cares,the fact that EPK are playing in the CC is enough of an insult
@benji (Comment 6) : This
@benji (Comment 6) : @Seth101 (Comment 7) : I don’t quite get that. For what reason shouldn’t they play in the CC? Of the smaller Unions, having the Pumas, Griquas and Kings there seems reasonable. Are you saying another of the smaller Unions should be there ahead of the Kings?
These boys are going to have to do some serious recruiting before next years super rugby
@RuckingFun (Comment 9) : This is true…of course, if they beat us…well…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) : The very same. For bonus points can you remember the name of the blogger that kept telling us how good this guy is?
@vanmartin (Comment 11) : It wasn’t me… 😆
@vanmartin (Comment 11) : the hound?!?!?!
@pastorshark (Comment 1) : ja at least he seems to have some respect for the Sharks reputation hell none of the other coaches even cares!!!!!
@RuckingFun (Comment 9) : who you talking about Kings or Sharks?!?!
@JD (Comment 13) : Nope. As far as I know the person is no longer posting here (and though I don’t always agree with him I think the Hound is a pretty awesome contributor)
@vanmartin (Comment 16) : Was it the same fellow who went on about Tyler Fisher?
@pastorshark (Comment 17) : Nope but I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy you’re thinking of is somehow related to the one I’m thinking of 🙂
@vanmartin (Comment 16) : was a bit tongue in check!!! Think the actual guy got band for always spewing garbage but can’t remember his name.
@JD (Comment 19) : Hendrikp (if memory serves)
@vanmartin (Comment 18) :
@vanmartin (Comment 20) :
That’s the lad. Firmly believed that JP, Sadie and Coenie were imminent Bok legends.
@Big Fish (Comment 22) : Well, at least 1 out of 3 became a Bok…
@pastorshark (Comment 23) :
Some way of an instant legend though. 😉
whatever happened to that knob who used to stir, even had his own page up here about himself where he professed to being a “solicitor” in England (yet the SRA in England had no record of his registration 😆 )? Think he’s the same Tyler Fisher acolyte referred to above. Whatshisname.
@Big Fish (Comment 24) : You speak truth…
Thinking of taking a break from watching the Sharks this CC. Well at least until I get the impression that things are looking up.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 27) : I’ll probably continue along the ways of the evening insect….keep flying into the damn light even though it burns me every time. 🙄
@pastorshark (Comment 8) :
Because for some reason their inclusion was a given, while other teams had to fight it out for a spot. Why not let them play for it too? The whole Currie Cup was changed to make room for EP specifically. It should have been – The Currie Cup will be expanded and there is room for 2 extra teams, not – The Currie Cup is being expanded so that EP can be part of the Currie Cup and another team will play out against all other province to earn a spot.
@Letgo (Comment 29) : Sure, I get that. But there are also very specific reasons for doing it that way, particularly historical reasons that I for one can understand and live with. The fact that EP would most likely have been a qualifier anyway, given their consistent performances in the “B section” means that this argument is a non-entity in my view. It is the way it is…and it’s ok that way…
Change to Kings starting XV – out Paul Schoeman in Thembelani Bholi
@pierre_mackie (Comment 31) : If Thembelani scores the winning try, I’ll cry!!
@Letgo (Comment 29) : “Why not let them play for it too?”
Because they would lose, obviously.
Did I read right? Sharks supporters complaining about Kings given a spot in the Currie Cup, talk about the kettle calling the pot black.
@Ludz (Comment 34) : Please don’t say “Sharks Supporters” like it’s all of us. I’ve just spent half the day trying to counter those particular sentiments. Personally, I think it sensible and reasonable for the Kings to be given that spot and I am happy to see them there. Although I do sincerely hope that they lose on Saturday!
@Ludz (Comment 34) : Your point, though, is valid! It is precisely what was done for us in the late 80’s…and a couple of years later we became Currie Cup champions and the team of the 90’s!
@Ludz (Comment 34) : I have never complained about the kings. In fact I hope you do build a good team. We need some other stock besides freestate.
@coolfusion (Comment 37) :
@pastorshark (Comment 35) : Absolutely agreed. No complaints from my side either.
@vanmartin (Comment 20) : More like hendrikpsdt…
@coolfusion (Comment 37) : @pastorshark (Comment 35) : Apologies for generalizing, I know some of you guys support us and very appreciative of that.
@Ludz (Comment 41) : Just not this weekend…
@pastorshark (Comment 42) : Ditto