EP U19 AND U21 PREVIEW V LEOPARDS
PLACED at the bottom of the log, the Eastern Province Kings U21 rugby side will be determined to move up on the log when they host the Leopards in the Absa U21 Provincial Championship at Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (September 26), kicking off at 12.45.
The Kings and the Leopards have both had tough seasons and have identical win-loss records. However, the difference between the two sides is that the Leopards have managed to pick up four bonus points, leaving them on eight points, compared to the home side’s four points from nine games.
The Kings will be drawing on the positive memories of their triumph over the Sharks last month (August 29), when they rose to the occasion in splendid fashion to win 25-15. They will be looking for a repeat performance against the Potch team and it would be a tremendous boost for them if they were to score another win.
Despite being mostly on the losing side, coach Ryan Felix’s team have shown signs of improvement in the second round. They avenged an earlier loss against the Sharks by registering the win in PE last month and they gave better performances in their games against the Lions and Free State after being outplayed by those teams in the first round.
However, they know that the Leopards will be keen to put some space between themselves and the bottom of the log, and that means it will be a tough challenge at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The Leopards won their opening game against EP, but have struggled in recent matches, conceding 50 points or more in each of their last four games.
EP will need to tighten up their defence and match the Leopards up front to have a chance of recording their second win of the season.
In the opening match of the day, the EP Kings U19 team are secure of a semifinal berth, but will follow their pattern of focusing only on the opponents immediately ahead of them when they meet their Leopards counterparts at 10.30.
Coach Mzwandile Stick’s side top the log with 41 points after an unbeaten nine-match run, but know that the Blue Bulls (37) and Western Province (34) are lurking just behind them. For all three teams, the incentive is to finish in the top two to ensure a home semifinal. The final will be played at the venue of the senior competition final.
The Kings U19 squad have shown fine discipline this year and have kept their feet on the ground despite their outstanding success. If they continue that humble approach, while retaining a sense of confidence and a positive attitude on the field, it should stand them in good stead.
Despite being near the bottom of the log, the Leopards remain a dangerous outfit. They have been competitive in many of their matches, securing seven bonus points in nine games, and, having nothing to lose, they will put in a massive effort to upset the unbeaten Kings.
The squads are:
EP U19 (15-1): Keanu Vers, Mabhutana Peter, Yamkela Nyalambisa, Jeremy Ward, Athi Mayinje, Michael Brink, James Hall, Junior Pokomela, Hayden Tharratt, SF Nieuwoudt, Lusanda Badiyana, Robert Lyons, Roche van Zyl, Thango Balekile, Greg Jackson.
Replacements (16-23): Masikane Mazwi, Xandre Vos, Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Xolisa Matshoba, Wihan Coetzer, Davron Cameron, Jordan Koekemoer, Avelo Jubase.
EP U21 (15-1): Malcolm Jaer, Khaya Malotana, Leighton van Wyk, Sam Bedlow, Lindelwe Zungu, MC Venter, Sibusiso Ngcokovane, Kevin Kaba (capt), Brandon Brown, CJ Velleman, Tyler Paul, Jan Uys, Stephan Ebersohn, JP Jamieson, David Murray.
Replacements (16-22): Jedwyn Harty, James Beyl, Wynand Grassman, Jason Reinecke, Luvo Claasen, Somila Jho, Ivan-John du Preez.
The latest logs, matches in brackets, are:
U19: EP 41 (9), WP 37 (10), Blue Bulls 34 (10), Golden Lions 22 (9), Free State 18 (10), Leopards 16 (9), Sharks 7 (9).
U21: WP 41 (10), Free State 35 (10), Golden Lions 28 (9), Blue Bulls 28 (10), Sharks 26 (9), Leopards 8 (9), EP Kings 4 (9).
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