After a run of injuries on the centre pairings, the EP Kings now face the stark reality of 5 props being injured ahead of their Vodacom Cup game against the Sharks on Saturday 21 April. Kick off is at 14:45.
Far from this being a negative one must look back into the very recent past where the concept of ‘depth’ for the EP Kings was measured in how far down into the brown smelly stuff they had sunk and NOT in the growing stable of competent players willing and able to wear the red and black hoops of the latter day team. A mark of progress indeed for our local team who are showing increased pride and determination despite still having clumps of smelly brown stuff thrown at them by national scribes and supporters of more ‘favoured’ teams.
Joining starter props, Elrich Kock and Clint Newland, this Saturday in Durban will be local NMMU student, Dexter Fahey. In a further confirmation of the depth of talent we saw, EP Academy prop, Brendan Olivier also have a run with the senior team this week.
Remarking on the narrow defeat of SWD Eagles this past Saturday, Alan Solomons said; “We were not happy with our performance….”, “The match was their World Cup final…” and “We can’t afford a slip up going forward.”
Solomons also cautioned about the timing of the matches featuring the North and South Barbarians against the touring England Test. England will meet a South African Barbarians South team in an afternoon match in Kimberley on Wednesday, 13 June and six days later (19 June) play a SA Barbarians North team in an evening kick-off in Potchefstroom. With reference to EP Players playing in the Barbarians team, Solomons said; “The timing is problematic as nine days later Eastern Province begin our make or break Currie Cup campaign”.
The EP Team to play against the Sharks XV is:
- Elrich Kock
- Hannes Franklin
- Clint Newland
- Darron Nell (Captain)
- David Bullbring
- Conraad Brits
- Mpho Mbiyozo
- Jacques Engelbrecht
- Falie Oelschig
- Justin van Staden
- Marcello Sampson
- Wayne Stevens (Vice Captain)
- Scott van Breda
- Norman Nelson
- SP Marais
- Frank Herne
- Dexter Fahey
- Johan Snyman
- Devin Oosthuizen
- Danie Faasen
- Shane Gates
- Kieran Goss
Alan Straton
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Methinks it is time for the EP Kings to OWN the Kings Park Stadium in Durban.