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Etzebeth to Captain Stormers against Southern Kings

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Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made five changes, and an additional positional switch, to his team ahead of the Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the DHL Stormers at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (kickoff at 15h05).

Following a spate of injuries at lock, the Southern Kings were pleased to have Irne Herbst fit for the Cape derby, after the lofty second-rower recovered from a concussion that ruled him out of last weekend’s clash with the Sunwolves in Singapore.

The Southern Kings will also begin the match with a new flank combination, as opensider Chris Cloete and blindside loose-forward Thembelani Bholi get their first starts of the season.

With the Southern Kings losing both their scrumhalves to injury in Singapore last week – Louis Schreuder with a concussion and Rudi van Rooyen an ankle injury – Rick Schroeder will be getting his Vodacom Super Rugby debut on Saturday.

Centre Luzuko Vulindlu, who came off the bench in the Southern Kings’ first two matches of the season, will get a starting berth this weekend in a rotational change which sees Berton Klaasen moving to the bench.

Vulindlu will start in the No12 jersey and the experienced Waylon Murray, who played at inside centre in the past two matches, moving to outside centre

“The guys understand that they have to grab their opportunities with both hands. It’s all about performing in the Kings jersey,” coach Davids said.

“Ricky (Schroeder) has been knocking on the door, and I’m glad he’s getting this opportunity now. He will have to make it worthwhile.

“I’ve rotated Luzuko Vulindlu and Berton Klaasen for our centre combination. I feel that Waylon Murray, with this experience, at No13 will be good for us.”

There will be a lot on offer on match-day at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium throughout the day.

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Business Development Manager, Raaziq Poole explained the fun-filled activities for the day, starting at 13h00 when gates open until 19h00.

“I think from a stadium management point of view, we are ready to host the Southern Kings versus DHL Stormers match. This is one of the big derbies for us to host, so we have a full family, fun day of activities that will take place,” Poole said.

“We have also teamed up with Future Kings, who will have an activation on our B-field, with about 400 kids who will participate. This is hopefully an initiative we will continue with all out Vodacom Super Rugby games. We will have a fun Fan Park with DJ’s until 19h00.

“With the Southern Kings coming from a win, we encourage people to come out and support the team to create a vibe and gees which will encourage the players to do even better on the field. We are fully committed and behind the team

Tickets are R60 (East Stand) and R80 (West Stand). Tickets are available at selected TicketPro outlets, online on www.ticketpros.co.za and at the TicketPro ticket office at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Prince Alfred Road.

In this first match involving a team from South Africa on Saturday, Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will captain the DHL Stormers for the first time in their clash with the Kings in PE.

Etzebeth will lead the side at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the absence of regular captain Siya Kolisi who is being rested for this match, while wing Bjorn Basson will also make his debut for the Cape side on the wing.

Teams:

Southern Kings: 15. Masixole Banda, 14. Makazole Mapimpi, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Luzuko Vulindlu, 11. Malcolm Jaer, 10. Lionel Cronje (vice-capt), 9. Rick Schroeder, 8. Ruaan Lerm, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. Chris Cloete, 5. Irne Herbst, 4. Tyler Paul, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2. Michael Willemse, 1. Schalk Ferreira (captain). Replacements: 16. Kurt Haupt, 17. Schalk van der Merwe, 18. Chris Heiberg, 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. Andisa Ntsila, 21. Johan Steyn, 22. Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 23. Berton Klaasen.

DHL Stormers: 15. SP Marais, 14. Dillyn Leyds, 13. EW Viljoen, 12. Dan du Plessis, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Oli Kebble. Replacements: 16. Ramone Samuels, 17. JC Janse van Rensburg, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Chris Van Zyl, 20. Jaco Coetzee, 21. Justin Phillips, 22. Kurt Coleman, 23 Damian Willemse.

 

Match information:

Date: Saturday, 11 March

SA Time: 15h05

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)

Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)

Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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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.