The first of 14 matches to determine whether the EP Kings advance to the premier division of the Absa Currie Cup takes place on Friday 15 July at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Kick off is at 7:00 pm.
EP Kings coach, Alan Solomons, judging his remarks against his normal taciturn self, is relatively confident of a very successful outcome over the next 15 weeks. In fact young Alan was unequivocally certain of promotion to the Premier Division saying; “We are a better team than in June 2010. I will underwrite the fact that we will be ready for Super Rugby in 2013.”
Solomons also pointed out that the 2011 Kings Team was a far more settled outfit with a core of at least 12 players. The key positions of eighthman, scrumhalf and flyhalf also seem to be causing Solomons much pleasure as he reckons that he now has the right combination with enough good players to step in should the need arise. On Friday Luke Watson (Captain), Falie Oelschig and Louis Strydom will be filling the number 8, 9 and 10 jerseys respectively.
It appears that the defeat of the EP Kings on Friday 8 July 26-20 by the emerging Cheetahs has highlighted areas of concern – the Kings need to finish better, contain the errors and not missed opportunities (3 were missed on the night). It all comes down to preparation, communication, fitness and confidence and that only comes with time and hours of practice.
Asked what he thought about Os Du Randt’s (the Cheetahs Coach) comments re the Kings being ‘unable to beat an emerging Cheetahs side … and they want to play Super Rugby ….’, Luke Watson was subdued and all business when he said; “On the day we were our own worst enemies but we remain confident as a team and refuse to focus on other people’s opinions”.
With South Western Districts being the only team to have beaten the Kings in this competition at home last year (25-8 on 1 October 2010) this Friday’s match should be an interesting one. SWD and Border will be well aware that the Southern Kings Super Rugby side will be drawn from a net that includes them so they will come out fighting.
Crowd favourite, Jacques Potgieter returns to the side and puts the number 6 jersey on. The ever affable flanker is pleased to be back in the fray and is a good example to his fellow players when it comes to handling the media and supporters. His emphasis and philosophy in life is around fitness and being grateful to his supporters.
The EP Kings team for Friday’s Clash against SWD is:
- Jaco Engels
- Hannes Franklin
- Clint Newland
- Barend Pieterse
- Ross Kennedy
- Jacques Potgieter
- Devin Oosthuizen
- Luke Watson (Captain)
- Falie Oelschig
- Loius Strydom
- Marcello Sampson
- Wayne Stevens (Vice Captain)
- Siyanda Grey
- Norman Nelson
- SP Marais
- Riaan Vermeulen
- Frank Herne
- Wayne van Heerden
- Jacques Engelbrecht
- Danis Faasen
- George Whitehead
- Jaco Bekker
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