EP Kings Vodacom Cup head coach, Mzwandile Stick, announced a relatively unchanged team to face Western Province at City Park in Cape Town on Saturday.
The team, captained by Stephan Zaayman, has three changes to the starting 15, with Brendan Hector coming in for Rynier Bernardo, Paul Schoeman coming in for CJ Velleman, who moves to the bench, and Michael Killian coming in for Eben Barnard. Lizo Gqoboka also returns from injury, coming onto the bench in place of Pieter Stemmet.
Stick said Bernardo had requested time off to attend a wedding, while Barnard had sustained a calf injury during the game against Border, and would most likely be out for two weeks.
“Paul Schoeman has been looking for some game time and it is great to have him as he will add value to the loose trio and will be able to assist around the rucks,” he said.
Stick said he had tried to keep the balance between the use of senior, more experienced players, and the youngsters.
Zaayman said he expected Western Province would prove a good challenge for the young EP Kings side.
“They are also a young side, but we have the momentum of a good win behind us against Border, we worked well together and gelled a bit as a team, and we’re hoping to take that into the game,” he said.
Stick said he was impressed with the player’s performance against Border and said he hoped to see the momentum carry through.
“These youngsters are the best in the region, they have seen now that our systems work and there is a good team spirit. This is going to be a tough challenge, but I believe they will be able to step up to it,” he said.
Stick said he had also been very pleased with the defence of the side.
“The defence worked very well, the boys showed character in that game, even when they did not have ball in hand,” he said.
Commenting on the club players in the team, Stick said although additional players would become available for selection as the Varsity Cup wound down in the next few weeks, he believed that all of his players deserved a fair chance.
“I have always said that they deserve a fair chance and, if they do well, put in a good performance and prove what they can do on the field, then they will earn the right to remain in the team, same as any other player,” he said.
The team is: 1. Brenden Olivier, 2. Albe de Swardt, 3. Vukile Sofisa, 4. Brendan Hector, 5. Stephan Zaayman, 6. Thembelani Bholi, 7. Paul Schoeman, 8. Ivan-John Du Preez , 9. Dwayne Kelly , 10. Ntabeni Dukisa, 11. Lance Louw, 12. Tiger Mangweni, 13. Brian Skosana, 14. Michael Killian, 15. Masixole “Coyi”Banda. Replacements: 16. Tabbie du Plessis, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Aidon Davis, 19. CJ Velleman, 20. Sonwabo Majola, 21. Sphumelelo Msuthwana, 22. Selvyn Davids
Alan Straton
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