With an injury cloud hanging over captain Luke Watson the Southern Kings have named Darron Nell as captain for their clash against the Sharks in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
rugby365
Watson was injured in the Kings’ 22-10 victory over the Western Force in their top flight debut two weeks ago, suffering a blow to the throat which caused extensive inflammation.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said the loose forward’s spot on the bench would be evaluated later in the week after a final fitness test.
“We are hoping Luke will be alright to take his place this weekend, but we will assess his position later,” Solomons said on Tuesday.
“Because we have such a big game against the Sharks this weekend, we did not want to delay the naming of the starting XV. We want it settled early in the week, hence we have to put Luke on the bench.”
“The consequence of that is that Darron [Nell] comes up in place of David Bulbring, and takes up the leadership of the side,” he said.
Watson’s place in the team has been taken by Jacques Engelbrecht, who made a big impact with his driving play against the Force, helping the Kings to victory.
Lock David Bulbring drops to the bench in place of Daniel Adongo, while Nicolas Vergallo replaces Johan Herbst among the substitutes.
Andries Strauss, who celebrates his 29th birthday this week, holds onto his vice captaincy, while Schalk Ferreira, who was battling a bit with a slight rib injury last week, has been named in the starting line-up.
The Kings have named an unchanged starting backline that produced a dominant display against the Force two weeks ago.
Nell has been a regular in the EP Kings set-up since playing for the invitation team which took on the 2009 British Lions and has proved a strong leader of the Eastern Province side.
“Darron has been with us from the start, in fact, longer than I have,” Solomons said.
“He has led the EP team with distinction. He will get strong support from vice-captain Andries Strauss and [lock] Steven Sykes who did such a good job when Luke left the field against the Force.”
Nell, who led a Kings franchise side in a friendly against the Sharks last year, said he was delighted to be included in the set-up.
“It’s a great honour to be here as the captain but we are facing a very different challenge from last year,” he said.
“This is a completely different ballgame, but we will be ready for it.”
Playing against one of South Africa’s top Super Rugby teams, Solomons said they hoped to have a full stadium in support after 32 000 fans came to watch the game against the Force.
“It’s good to have a few [three] home games to start with and we are hoping to have a full house on Saturday,” Solomons said.
“Given that the Sharks are one of South Africa’s premier teams, and from our encouraging performance against the Force, we are hoping for strong support.”
Southern Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Darron Nell (Captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Date: Saturday 9 March
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwessen
28 @ Ashley:
With 1 weaker side in the SA Conference, the top 3 SA sides should get 10 Log points from the Southern Kings alone, whilst that could never be said when the Lions were playing.
It’s early days, let’s see if the game has moved on so much.
First indication of that will be when your Stormpoppies play the Chiefs, not so?
30 @ Pietman:
Helloooooooooooo
@ grootblousmile:
Don’t quite know where to start but here goes.
I think that over the years I’ve tried very hard, as a herdened Lions supporter to be objective and honest in my comments and articles, and I see no reason to change now.
I agree that the way in which the Kings gained access to SR was wrong, but at the same time, as Luke Watson has said publicly, it wasn’t their choice that it should happen thus.
Whether the Kings are or are not good enough to be in the Super Rugby competition remains to be seen, however, the performances of the Lions over the last decade or so has already shown that they are not good enough to compete in Super Rugby.
I’m sure that many Lions fans will disagree with my viewpoint, but anyone with any degree of common sense MUST agree with the results.
Having said that, I will also NEVER support any non-SA side in SR, or any other club or provincial competition,
As you rightly point out, SARU are the reason why the Kings are “public enemy number 1”. Their underhandedness and lack of transparency in the way in which this issue was handled continues to cause bile to raise in my throat whenever I think about it.
That SARU should have found a way to accomodate the Kings is a given, but at the same time the fact that Mr Watson Snr spouts nonsense to all and sundry (especially any political ear available) further disenfranchises him / the Kings from the neutral Rugby observer.
Having said that, the vast majority of Rugby “supporters” in South Africa still give almost unwavering support to SARU and their structures, with a few moaning and groaning from time to time but doing absolutely NOTHING in trying to change the status quo.
IE They swallow the BullSh1t hook line and sinker whenever 22 men pull a green and gold jersey over their heads and take to the field, and all of SARU’s past sins are forgotten until the next thing transpires to remind everyone of their failings.
As I have said before, I personally will never support SARU or any of their structures or teams again until there is meaningful change in the way in which they run Rugby Union in South Africa, and I can honestly say that I can’t see that happening in the next 10 years, and whilst I now refuse to actively support any SA national Rugby side (they’re not Springboks anymore in my opinion), I will never support any of their opposition sides either.
For the Kings, I hope they have a successful year of Super Rugby. As a Lions supporter they are not my enemy until it’s confirmed that the promotion / relegation games are to be played against them.
As for the rest of the SA Super Rugby teams, I wish the Bulls and Sharks well a successfull campaign, but I will NEVER be able to forgive either the Stormers or Cheetahs for their back stabbing exploits at the deciding SR vote, after both had committed in writing that the Kings inclusion should not be at the expense of any of the (then) current SA sides in the competition.
19 @ Ashley:
Do you honestly believe that SARU had a hand in organising anything to do with the Lions Challenge?
I don’t!
However, I do agree that to a large extent the Lions were architects in their own downfall, nad will continue to be the reason why they (IMO) won’t get back into SR next year, irrespective of who (if) they play in any promotion / relegation games.
gbs @ 31
ons gaan kaaaaaaaaaaaak!!
@ grootblousmile
Jisja bruvva.
Praat later weer, gooi n paar draaie gaan gooi voor die naweek (more is mos Saterdag hier!)
@ Ashley:
What did the Kings/Spears do to ready themselves for Super Rugby? From the inception of the Spears and the subsequent evolution into the Kings, all they did was bleat that they deserved a place. The administration of the Spears made whatever the Lions did look like a slick professional outfit.
If memory serves me correctly, a tournament involving the 3 making up the Kings, a couple of North American combination sides and one other team was mooted not so long ago. That idea was apparanetly ready to go, but I think the Kings scotched the plans. They may not have been able to attract real top flight players to this competition, but they would have been able to attract some youngsters with great potential who would otherwise not have been able to play Super Rugby.
If I think of SARU I will *&%&#@!
33 @ Scrumdown:
Hello Mr Kempton Park 1979!
Hehehe
You go quite far in your disdain aimed at SARU.
In my mind SARU is NOT the Springboks, neither do the Springboks belong to SARU… they belong to SOUTH AFRICA.
The fact that SARU is a bunch of spineless, scum-sucking idiots does not change my suport for Heyneke Meyer and his crew and the brave players playing for my Country, chosen from my Country’s top sides.
SARU is merely the controlling body of Rugby in SA, which by the way includes your Lions side (which also falls under SARU structures and control). In that case, if your beef with SARU is serious enough, like in the case of the Springboks, you should also not be supporting the Lions anymore.
Am I wrong?
Nou gooi jy sommer die baba saam met die badwater uit…
scrumdown @ 34
sorry i dont know for sure. just read that the lions and sarugby were looking into a competition to accomodate the lions, so presumed they worked together on it!!
39 @ Ashley:
I also don’t know for sure. I just don’t believe that they did.
ok guys, i’m just out for a bit. will catch up later!! o and btw, i know this is quite an emotional topic for a lot of you guys, so hats off (especially to the lions supporters) for the way this topic can be discussed without fear for personal attacks. thanks for that guys!!
38 @ grootblousmile:
Why 1979?
Your arguement is flawed re SARU and the Lions.
If I like the boss I work for, does it mean I have to like the Company as well?
SARU are the CUSTODIAN of Rugby in SA, and as such IMO control EVERY aspect of the National side, from selection policy to appointment of coaches and management and every aspect in between.
It would be interesting to see what mention of the Naional side(s) is made in the SARU constitution.
And yes, my disdain for them is deep. I don’t often hold a grudge, but when I do it’s for a verrrry long time.
42 @ Scrumdown:
The Lions and Springboks are almost exactly on par in your analogy with the Boss and the Company.
The Springboks function as a UNIT within the SARU structures… but they have almost complete autonomy… almost divorced from SARU’s direct control. The Coach and his staff decide on the Team, the coaching ect, ect…
SARU decides about the Competitions the Springboks will play in (like they do for the SA Franchises too) and have the power to appoint and fire the coach and staff.
But does that limited interference and right of SARU give you enough ammo to alianate yourself from the Springboks?
Does liking your Boss (Springboks) mean you like your Company (SARU)?
I do not dislike the Company (SARU) itself, I dislike the Directors or Decision-makers of the Company (“Slappap” Hoskins, “Ek kannie onderhandel nie” Marinos, “Blas Vroetelvraat” Johan Prinsloo, “Kuifkop Finansievingers” Jurie Roux & Co), I dislike the HR Department staff of the Company (President’s Council)…
I dislike those farktup Office Bearers who are supposed to represent our National Interests, those soft cocks who do not have a brass ball between the lot of them!
…. but I like the Bokke!
@ Ashley:
Ashley, Ruben Moggee the former acting CEO did the majority of the work in arranging the Lions Challenge. From what I read between the lines is that the Lions had to do the donkey work, get agreements from all the participating teams and then SARU would rubberstamp the competition. And maybe assist with approval from the IRB and the unions to which the teams belong. So basically what I am saying is that the Lions did about 99% of the work.
34 @ Scrumdown:
I believe the Lions will be very competitive come the promo matches, and may even win both. I also believe that the administration at the Lions has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. Still far from perfect, and some major stuff ups did happen last year.
@ grootblousmile:
Surely the likes of those you mention have the same fiduciary responsibilities as directors of ANY Company?
Anyway, it’s all a mute discussion. SARU won’t change it’s way of operating in the next 10 years. There is no collective will to do so from within the organisation.
44 @ Lion4ever:
While I agree that things MAY have improved since the “bad” old days of Reyneke and Ferreira, there are still MANY aspects that need fixing, and quite frankly, I can’t see it happenening soon.
The GLRU have told my old club that they must now compete in the Valke structures as they can no longer accomodate them, and the President’s League (3rd division) and Ngonyama league for development clubs has been totally dropped from the fixture lists according to an e-mail I recieved this week. I can only assume it’s because of money.
The forced movement of myold club to the Valke could potentially have far reaching effects for school and club Rugby on the East Rand.
The Provincial Government basically says that any school or sports club in Ekhuruleni MUST compete under Gauteng East, whereas Rugby, specifically the GLRU say that Rugby Clubs and former “white” and “coloured” schools in places such as Alberton and Germiston may play in the Lions area, but that “black” schools must play in the Valke area.
It has been a MASSIVE bone of contention, but the Lions have now told a former “coloured” club to take a hike as they can’t be accomodated. Link this to the fact that Edenvale have been playing in the Valke leagues for 2 season now because of an issue that would need 3 weeks to go into, and suddenly you have the potential for the Valke to (once again) go to the provisional government and say please enforce the letter of the law, and in so doing cause havoc in Rugby in the JHB area.
When I last discussed this issue with Manie Reyneke in 2010, he was dismissive of the Valke and basically said that they should become just a Sub-Union of the GLRU!
Obviously the Valke want the clubs and the schools to improve their playing numbers, but the Lions want to basically “cherry pick” what resourses they want at their disposal.
Now, if Alberton (whom I believe may move next season (2014)) and Germiston (who don’t want to move) are forced to go over to the Valke, it won’t be a great loss to the Lions anyway, (I can’t remember when they last had more than 1 club player playing for the Lions, as they pull the vast majority of their junior sides from UJ), but the problem lies in the schools.
Suddenly one of their senior feeder schools, Marais Viljoen, and another of their bigger schools, Hoerskool Alberton would be lost to them, and that would be a potential disaster.
Anyway, all conjecture. Maybe the Lions will come right in time for us to see Haley’s Comet over Ellis Park during a Super Rugby play off match.
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