On Friday 11 February, the Southern Kings will meet the Lions in the last of three friendly games against some of the top teams in Super Rugby.
EP’s introduction to playing rugby at this level has been punishing at least. The players are developing a bit of a thousand mile stare as they dig deep to run out and face another massive test at the NMB Stadium this Friday night. The EP side have had to deal with a turnaround of 6 days between matches – not much time to recuperate battered bodies and work on a change strategy that will suit playing against opponents with different styles.
But, with added pressure and glory come added responsibilities.
Asked to give one reason why supporters should come out in droves again on Friday night coach Alan Solomons said; “Now is the time that the team needs support from people. Supporters can be assured that there will be no lack of effort from the team against the Lions on Friday evening.”
Captain Rory Duncan emphasised that the team is concentrating on defence strategies and with reference to this Fridays clash said; “Every game we played thus far has been a tough one and the guys are keen to improve on last weeks showing.”
Reflecting on on field discipline Solomons agreed that; “..discipline wasn’t much of a problem, but we did get a lot of penalties against us. We aim to keep our penalty count down to below 10 per game.”
Mpho Mbiyo’s Red Card against the Cheetahs will not keep him out of Friday evening’s game. As these friendlies are viewed as ‘practice games’ by SANZAR, Mpho’s punishment of spending almost 60 minutes out of the game was deemed sufficient by a disciplinary panel.
EP Rugby has made great strides since the onset of Super Rugby in 1996 but still has a lot of catching up to do in terms of structure and support that other teams have put behind them in the last 15 years of being involved in the competition.
New in the starting lineup is Tiger Mangweni (at 15 and replacing SP Marais who has a groin injury), Wayne Stevens (vice captain back from injury at 12), Jaco van Schalkwyk (at 10) and Ronnie Uys (at 1 with Jaco Engels starting on the bench).
The full starting lineup: Ronnie Uys (1), Hannes Franklin (2), Andre Sclechter (3), Rory Duncan – Captain (4), Ross Kennedy (5), Darron Nell (6), Mpho Mbiyoza (7), Morne Hanekom (8), Jacques Coetzee (9), Jaco van Schalkwyk (10), Norman Nelson (11), Wayne Stevens – Vice Captain (12), Siyanda Grey (13), Paul Perez (14) and Tiger Mangweni (15).
Replacements: Bobby Dyer (16), Jaco Engels (17), Barend Pieterse (18), Coenraad Brits (19), Boela Abrahams (20), Monty Dumond (21), Milo Nqoro (22), Sphephelo Mayaba (23), Pumlani Nodikida (24), Lungelo Payi (25), Nolan Clark (26), Frank Herne (27) and Mathew Tayler-Smith (28).
The Lions team will be announced on Thursday 10 February after the game against Tucuman from Argentina on Wednesday 9 February. This will allow the Lions coaching staff to assess the team knowing who is injured or unplayable.
Alan Straton
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