Watson and Nell in Vodacom Cup team for game against SWD Eagles
The Eastern Province Kings Vodacom Cup team that will take on the SWD Eagles at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s B field at 3pm on Friday, 12 April 2013 includes rugby stalwarts Luke Watson and Darron Nell.
Watson and Nell both missed out on the Australasian tour with the Southern Kings due to injuries in the first leg of the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby competition. Watson will start at 8, while Nell returns to lock at no 4.
Also returning to the side after a week’s absence is captain, Mpho Mbiyozo, who missed out on the game against Free State XV in Bloemfontein due to injury, and Shane Gates who returns at Flyhalf for his first game this season after hurting his ankle during a warm up match in Despatch.
Dalton Davis and Ntabeni Dukisa move to the bench, with Stefan Willemse also called up to the bench to stand in for Schalk Oelofse who is out for three to six weeks following a concussion during the Free State XV game.
Madibaz player, Mzwanele Zito, who started at 4 last week, will be out for the next six weeks after undergoing surgery on his arm in Bloemfontein, after it was confirmed that he had fractured his left ulna.
Vodacom Cup head coach, David Maidza, said Watson and Nell’s return was a positive sign that they were getting ready to return to the Southern Kings line up when the team returned from tour.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to get some game time before the senior side comes back,” he said.
Maidza said the move also added some great experience to the forward pack ahead of what was expected to be a tough game.
“Since 2010 playing against SWD has always been a huge derby and we know they are up for the challenge,” he said.
Maidza said it was also vital that the team kept the momentum going following their win against Free State XV last weekend.
“The main thing is to concentrate on what we do best and how we play,” he said.
“We didn’t do ourselves any favours against the Pampas, Border or Western Province, we didn’t pitch up in the right mindset, but we’ve managed to turn that around during the Free State game and we now need to keep that momentum and push hard to keep the playoffs in sight,” he said.
EP KINGS TEAM TO PLAY SWD EAGLES
NMMU B FIELD, PORT ELIZABETH
FRIDAY 12 APRIL 2013
15H00
15. Scott van Breda
11. Yamkela Ngam
13. Wayne Stevens (V/C)
12. Siyabonga Mangweni
14. Siyanda Grey
10. Shane Gates
9. Scott Mathie
1. Lizo Gqoboka
2. Boetie Britz
3. Ross Geldenhuys
6. Paul Schoeman
4. Darron Nell
5. Samora Fihlani
7. Mpho Mbiyozo (Captain)
8. Luke Watson
Replacements
16. Dane van der Westhuizen
17. Brendan Olivier
18. Stefan Willemse
19. Dalton Davis
20. Kayle van Zyl
21. Ntabeni Dukisa
22. Andile Jho
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