Brent Janse van Rensburg
EP Kings Kings coach, Brent Janse van Rensburg, has called back a host of his stalwarts for friday’s match against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.
Experienced centre Tim Whitehead will lead the EP Kings as they chase their 1st ABSA Currie Cup win this season – at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Port Elizabeth.
Regular captain Luke Watson remains sidelined with a leg injury, however, lock Steven Sykes is back from a rib problem to lead the pack.
Van Rensburg has made several changes to the team which went down to the Xerox Golden Lions in Johannesburg last weekend.
He said he believed they had the best combination to combat the Free State Cheetahs.
Whitehead is partnered by JP du Plessis in the centres and Ronnie Cooke is replaced at centre, due to a broken toe.
Sykes starts ahead of Cornell Hess, who is dropped to the bench.
“We have made quite a few changes, but most of these players have already played together in the Currie Cup this season, and have played well, so I don’t believe we will have any problem with our rhythm or continuity,” Van Rensburg said.
Luke Watson is suffering with a leg injury and the Kings are managing his return conservatively, they are hopeful he will be back soon.
“We don’t want to rush anything, especially in view of the bigger picture, even though Luke is desperately keen to play,” the Kings coach said.
“We need to look after his quad problem and make sure that there are no problems when he does return, and it was my decision to leave him out at this stage.”
Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Tim Whitehead (Captain), 11 Luther Obi, 10 Karlo Aspeling, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Steven Sykes, 4 Stefan Willemse, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Cornell Hess, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Dwayne Kelly, 22 Elgar Watts.
Date: Friday 11 September
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-Off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant Referees: Archie Sehlako, Jacques Nieuwenhuis
TMO: Christie du Preez
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