Southern Kings Head Coach Deon Davids has elected to make minimal changes to his team to face Italian side outfit Benetton Treviso in the GUINNESSPRO14 this weekend, from the one that went down to Dragons last Saturday.
The changes come in the backline at centre and at wing while the forward pack, which showed up well in the wet against the Dragons, is retained intact. Right wing Yaw Penxe, who has been an ever-present in the team so far this campaign, is given a rest and Sibusiso Sithole – who previously did duty at left wing – comes in for him to partner Alshaun Bock and Masixole Banda as the back three. A new centre pairing of Jacques Nel and Luzuko Vulindlu does duty with Berton Klaasen dropping to the bench. Other changes on the bench see fit-again scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen come in for Ruan Gouws while the replacement hooker berth goes to Tango Balekile in place of Stephan Coetzee.
Speaking after the team announcement Coach Davids said that in making his selection he was striking a balance between rewarding form and making sure all players on tour were given an opportunity to show their worth. “The extremely wet conditions we experienced last weekend made things difficult for everyone but once we had adjusted to them I thought the team showed up well – particularly our forwards where Bobby De Wee led the Opta Performance stats in terms of tackles made and lineouts stolen. If we can put an 80 minute performance together against Benetton Treviso then I believe we have a good chance of coming out on top,” he said.
Davids added that he knew his team were in for a tough match regardless.
“There are no easy games in an international competition like GUINNESPRO14 but we are determined to do everything we can to make our fans proud,” he said.
This weekend’s match against Benetton Treviso kicks off at 20h00 SA time and the Southern Kings will once again be captained by hooker Michael Willemse.
TEAM LIST
15 Masixole Banda
14 Sibusiso Sithole
13 Jacques Nel
12 Luzuko Vulindlu
11 Alshaun Bock
10 Pieter–Steyn de Wet
9 Godlen Masimla
1 Schalk Ferreira
2 Michael Willemse (C)
3 Martin Dreyer
4 Stephan Greeff
5 Bobby de Wee
6 Andisa Ntsila
7 Jurie van Vuuren
8 Dries van Schalkwyk
Substitutes
16 Tango Balekile
17 Rossouw de Klerk
18 Entienne Swanepoel
19 Lubabalo Mtyanda
20 Khaya Majola
21 Rudi van Rooyen
22 Oliver Zono
23 Berton Klaasen
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