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Seven Changes and third EP Kings captain

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Eastern Province Kings head coach, Carlos Spencer has announced seven changes to his starting line up to take on the Cell C Sharks in Durban this weekend.

Spencer said the team would be captained by Darron Nell, who would take over from Steven Sykes who was not available for selection due to a knee injury.

Up front Charles Marais takes over from Lizo Gqoboka, who is out with a shoulder injury, while CJ van der Linde comes up from the bench to replace Tom Botha who has an elbow injury.

Steven Cummins also comes up from the bench at Lock opposite Nell in place of Sykes, while Stefan Willemse comes up from the bench to replace Shaun MacDonald at Flank.

“A lot of the changes are due to injuries, we lost a number of key blokes due to injury last week, but I am positive these guys can come in and do the job,” he said.

At the back, Kevin Luiters moves to the bench to make way for Tobie Botes at Scrumhalf, while Tim Whitehead returns at outside centre opposite Shane Gates, which sees Ronnie Cooke moving to right wing in place of Siyanda Grey.

“It was tough call, but at the moment I needed someone who can talk and is a good communicator among the back three,” he said.

With a number of players moving off the bench to start, Spencer called up Charl du Plessis, Cameron Lindsay, Thembelani Bholi and Tim Agaba to the bench, joining Albé de Swardt, Luiters and Scott van Breda.

Spencer said the team had had a low intensity training week, with the focus on the players and getting the basics right.

“I still want these guys to play rugby and a good brand of rugby, so we just need to go out and forget about the pressure that’s on them,” he said.

Spencer said they were looking forward to the match against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

“The Sharks had a very good performance against the Bulls and they will be confident. Going to the Shark tank is never an easy job. It’s another opportunity, so we just have to make the most of it,” he said.

The team is:

  • Starting Lineup: 15. Siviwe Soyizwapi, 14. Ronnie Cooke, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Shane Gates, 11. Ntabeni Dukisa, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Tobie Botes, 8. Paul Schoeman, 7. Devin Oosthuizen, 6. Stefan Willemse, 5. Steven Cummins, 4. Darron Nell (C), 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Martin Ferreira, 1. Charles Marais
  • Replacements: 16. Albé de Swardt, 17. Charl du Plessis, 18. Cameron Lindsay, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. Tim Agaba, 21. Kevin Luiters, 22. Scott van Breda
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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.