EP Kings team announced to take on Western Province

Aug 5 • General News • 2250 Views • Comments Off on EP Kings team announced to take on Western Province

The Eastern Province Kings team that will take on the DHL Western Province in their first Currie Cup Premier Division match of the season at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday evening at 19h10.

EP Kings Head Coach, Carlos Spencer announced his team following two months of warm up games that have seen the Kings take on Wales, a Bulls XV, a Sharks XV, the SWD Eagles and the Free State Cheetahs.

The team, which will be led by Luke Watson, includes Lizo Gqoboka at loosehead prop, Edgar Marutlulle at hooker and Tom Botha at tighthead prop, while Steven Cummins and David Bullbring team up as locks to make up the tight five.

Thembelani Bholi and Stefan Willemse take up inside and outside flank respectively, while Watson comes on at the familiar eigthman.

Tobie Botes starts at the much contested spot of scrumhalf, with Gary van Aswegen opening at flyhalf.

Siviwe Shakes Soyizwapi and Ronnie Cooke take up the two wing positions, with Shane Gates and Tim Whitehead at inside and outside Centre respectively. Scott van Breda takes his spot at fullback.

Spencer said that while there had been concerns around Gqoboka’s fitness ahead of the match, following a mild concussion after the Cheetahs game in Cradock, he had been in training and that, subject to a clearance from the medical team, he should be fit to start.

“Yes, we did have a few headaches when it came to choosing the team, there were a number of players who have put their hand up in the pre season, and it wasn’t easy to finalise the team,” he said.

Spencer said while it was a definite shift in gears to Currie Cup, the focus was on the game ahead against Western Province and keeping things relaxed amongst the players ahead of the game.

“We really want to keep the players as calm and relaxed as possible and that they must enjoy the week ahead of the game,” he said.

The team:

1. Lizo Gqoboka
2. Edgar Marutlulle
3. Tom Botha
4. Steven Cummins
5. David Bulbring
6. Thembelani Bholi
7. Stefan Willemse
8. Luke Watson (Captain)
9. Tobie Botes
10. Gary van Aswegen
11. Siviwe Soyizwapi
12. Shane Gates
13. Tim Whitehead
14. Ronnie Cooke
15. Scott van Breda

Replacements:
16. Albé de Swardt
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Darron Nell
19. Aidon Davis
20. Kevin Luiters
21. George Whitehead
22. Ntabeni Dukisa (DJ)