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Georgia on Kings Mind!

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The ISUZU Southern Kings will take on World Cup-bound side, Georgia, in the first of their 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 warm-up matches next month.

The Port Elizabeth-based side received an invitation from the Georgia Rugby Union to play in the friendly match at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Tuesday, August 27. The match will kick off at 19h15.

“Georgia was set to take on Russia in their World Cup warm-up match, but the Russian team withdrew. We were the first team that the Georgian Rugby Union subsequently contacted to see if we were available,” ISUZU Southern Kings team manager, Zingi Hela, confirmed.

“We duly accepted the invitation which would work in favour of both teams – Georgia for their World Cup preparations, and for us ahead of the start of our Guinness PRO14 2019/20 season.

“We could not have asked for a better opponent at this stage than a national team that is renowned for their strong forwards pack and fierce scrummagers. This will undoubtedly be a timely opportunity for our own team to measure themselves before the start of the new season.”

Georgia will begin their World Cup campaign on September 23 when they face Wales. The Eastern Europe side will also face Australia, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool D at the tournament which will be held in Japan.

The Georgian side is coached by New Zealand-born Milton Haig, who was previously an assistant coach of the New Zealand under-21 and Chiefs Super Rugby sides.

The side remains unbeaten in 2019 having beaten Russia, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Romania in matches they have played so far this year.

Travelling details for the ISUZU Southern Kings will be confirmed closer to the time of the clash against The Lelos, as the side is affectionately known back home.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.