The Kings u21 side sent out a clear warning to any team that will take them on at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as Robbie Kempson’s men put the Griffons to the sword last week, running out convincing 58-7 winners.
A number of the players stood up and put in quality performances, the skipper on the day Ace Jho was outstanding, his distribution, accuracy and timing were crucial in a lot of tries. His centre partner, Lonwabo Ntleki ran in a hat-trick of tries. The forwards effort should be commended, they outmuscled the Griffons up front and provided lots of front foot ball for the backline. The men take on the Griquas u21 side this week.
The coaches named a strong side with a few changes and 6 new faces in the starting XV. Captain of the u21 side, Dane van der Westhuyzen returns to the team after missing last week’s game through a minor hand injury. The hooker had a small operation on his hand mid way through last week, and the medical staff has given him the go ahead this week. The other change in the front row is Pieter Stemmet, who comes back into the no.3 jersey he wore against the Pumas in Week 1, after doing bench duty last week. The loss of Kevin Kaba to the u19 side opens up a spot in the 2nd row. Sanwell Jacobs comes in to fill the vacant role, the former John Walton High School scholar will wear the no.5 jersey against the Griquas, assuming the mantle of chief lineout lock for Eastern Province men. Wayvern Smith also gets his 1st start of the campaign, one of the returning players from last years squad. Wayvern will start on the openside flank and will hopefully bring the same energy he brought when he came on for his 2nd half cameo last week against the Griffons. Vukile Sofisa completes the front row retaining his spot at loosehead. Kuhle Sonkosi who had a very impressive aerial performance last week both with the kick offs and lineouts, retains his no.4 jersey. Claude Tshidibi and Aidon Davis retain their respective jerseys.
The backline includes fewer changes with the imposing flyhalf Marlou van Niekerk moving to outside centre this week making way for a new flyhalf. Ruan Allerston is the new no.10, a former Shaks u19 representative, the former Port Natal scholar affectionately known as Zorba is said to be a hard tackler, he is comfortable playing in the no.12 jersey as well and is a great distributor of the ball. I look forward to following his progress at the Kings. Aya Dlepu also starts on the right wing, the 3rd man to start there in as many matches, following injuries to Sergeal Petersen against the Pumas and Ofentse Boloko against Griffons last week. The Hudson Park schooled speedster who’s got a great workrate and is a clinical finisher will look to work himself into some space. He tends to pop up anywhere and the Griquas will have to watch him closely. Sonwabo Majola will continue in the scrumhalf role and Ace Jho also continues at 12. Eben Barnard also retains his left wing berth. Another man who was perhaps as impressive as Ace Jho is fullback Shakes Soyizwapi, things happen when this guy touches the ball. He’s so elusive and very often has a hand in a teammate crossing the white line. He carves up defences, always a pleasure to watch. He’ll play in the no.15 jersey again this week.
Two of last week’s starters are on the bench this week, Ruan Roberts who enjoyed a good game in Dane’s absence last week goes back to the bench where he did duty during the1st game. Siphesihle Punguzwa, the man better known as Pitsa on the Border schoolboy circles makes way for Wayvern Smith. Marzuq Maarman returns to the 22 man squad on the bench after missing out on last week’s game. Brendan Hector, a Union High School old boy and member of last year’s u19 side which lost to Border in the final, will also make his 1st appearance for u21s should he come off the bench. Wanele Mbambeni will wear the no.20 jersey again, very capable of slotting in on the wing as well, he will primarily cover his favoured position of scrumhalf. Bangi Kobese was originally named in last week’s side at no.20, but he pulled out with a shoulder strain. Wanele subsequently replaced him last week. The Dale contingent will grow by 1 more in the Eastern Province ranks as Sphu Msutwana is set to make his Kings u21 debut. The 19 year old outside centre has unbelievable pace, an elusive player who’s got incredible strength going forward. He’s incredibly hard to contain due to his strength and pace. He’s one of the exciting prospects coming through the Eastern Province ranks.
Good luck to the u21s, Kings supporters are behind you gentlemen, leave everything on the field and you’ll emerge victorious.
EP Kings u21:
15: Siviwe Soyizwapi (Dale College)
14: Aya Dlepu (Hudson Park)
13: Marlou van Niekerk (Marlow Landbou)
12: Andile Jho (Dale College)
11: Eben Barnard (Brandwag)
10: Ruan Allerston (Port Natal)
09: Sonwabo Majola (Muir College)
08: Aidon Davis (Daniel Pienaar)
07: Claude Tshidibi (Potch Boys’ High School)
06: Wayvern Smith (Brandwag)
05: Sanwell Jacobs (John Walton High School)
04: Kuhle Sonkosi (Westering High School)
03: Pieter Stemmet (Paul Roos Gymnasium)
02: Dane van der Westhuyzen (St Andrew’s College)
01: Vukile Sofisa (Grey High School, PE)
RESERVES:
16: Ruan Roberts (Daniel Pienaar)
17: Marzuq Maarman (Muir College)
18: Brendan Hector (Union High School)
19: Siphesihle Punguzwa (Selborne College)
20: Wanele Mbambeni (Hudson Park)
21: Siphumelele Msutwana (Dale College)
22: Juan Smit (Eldoraigne High School)
HEAD COACH: Robbie Kempson
ASSISTANT COACH: Mzwandile Stick
Ludumo Nkabi - follow on twitter @ludz19
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