The Eastern Province Kings are looking to continue their newly found form when they take on the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday, 7 May.
The Eastern Province Kings are looking to continue their newly found form when they take on the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Saturday, 7 May.
The Kings have made a number of changes to the starting line-up, as some players have returned to the squad from the Springbok U20 camp, while others have been forced from the squad due to injuries.
In the tight five, Martin Bezuidenhout comes in at hooker from the Super Rugby side, pushing Warrick Venter to the bench. Former Grahamstownian, Sintu Manjezi moves from the flank to the lock, replacing the concussed Tazz Fuzani. Manjezi is also named vice-captain.
The Kings have also altered their loose trio, with JP Jonck returning from the Springbok U20 squad to take up the number 6 jersey, moving SF Nieuwoudt to number 7.
Among the backs, Kingswood old boy Davron Cameron sacrifices his spot for Francois Ueckermann at scrumhalf, which will be Ueckermann’s first start of the season. Garrick Mattheus will run out at flyhalf in place of the injured Simon Bolze, who is out for 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.
Siphumelelele Msutwana moves up from the bench in place of Lindelwe Zungu on the left wing. Zungu has been moved to fullback to cover for the injured Courtney Winnaar, who also picked up an ankle injury.
In the centres, captain Jeremy Ward returns from the U20’s setup to run out at inside centre, while JP du Plessis moves across to outside centre. Former Kingswood star, Somila Jho is moved to the bench from outside centre.
The Kings managed their first win of the tournament last week against the Windhoek Draft Welwitschias in Namibia. They will face a greater challenge against the bulls on Saturday.
The match will act as a curtain raiser for the Southern Kings’ Super Rugby match against the Blues.
Kick-off for the Currie Cup match is at 2.15pm at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
EP Currie Cup team:
Lindelwe Zungu, Athenkosi Mayinje, JP du Plessis, Jeremy Ward (Captain), Siphumelelele Msutwana, Garrick Mattheus, Francois Ueckermann, Jacques Engelbrecht, SF Nieuwoudt, JP Jonck, Cornell Hess, Sintu Manjezi, Louis Albertse, Martin Bezuidenhout, Liam Hendricks
Reserves
Warrick Venter, David Murray, Philip du Preez, Stephan Zaayman, Sibusiso Ngcokovane, Jordan Koekemoer, Somila Jho
