The Eastern Province Kings u21 side will kick off their campaign tomorrow, against the Pumas in Nelspruit. The Kings Academy juniors, who won last year’s u21 First Division Currie Cup, fell short in the promotion relegation game losing 21-15 to Border u21s in East London. They will aim to go one better this year with the biggest objective being promotion. The u21s coach Robbie Kempson named a strong side, 7 of whom were part of the squad who played in the promotion relegation last year.
A lot of the names will be familiar to Kings Supporters with many of the youngsters having been involved in the initial stages of the Currie Cup and four of which have Super Rugby experience. Former St Andrew’s boy Dane van der Westhuyzen will captain the side. He is an impressive hooker who at a very young age looks to be the complete package. He is a strong ball carrier and boasts of a great pedigree at set pieces, accurate lineout work and a good scrummager. His mobility will stand him in good stead as he looks to assert himself in his 2nd campaign with the u21s.
Shane Gates is a name well known to the Kings faithful, it seems like he’s been around forever, yet he’s only 20 (turns 21 in September). As a seasoned campaigner in the junior structure, the backline will look to him for leadership and most certainly his game breaking ability. His centre partner Ace Jho needs no introduction if you follow your schoolboy rugby. The outside centre, a former Dale College 1st XV captain was a schoolboy sensation who played 4 years of 1st XV rugby at Dale and donned the SA Schools no.12 jersey for 2 consecutive years in 2009 and 2010. Another old Dalian in the side is the ever impressive Shakes Soyizwapi who boasts a handful of Super Rugby caps himself, he’ll look to launch those counter attacks from the back and punish any bad kicks using his pace and deceptive step.
The side also has a youthful feel to it with 3 of the men still eligible for u19 rugby. Sergeal Petersen and Aidon Davis were both part of the same Eastern Province Craven Week side last year, both went on to represent SA Schools and both signed to stay with the Kings after school. This year their journey has also been very similar, both young lads making their Super Rugby debuts for the Kings and both were selected for the SA u20 Baby Boks squad to go to France before Sergeal had to pull out with an injury. They now will both make their u21 debut in the same match. The 3rd u19 lad is young Kevin Kaba who will start in the no.5 jersey, the former Queen’s College deputy headboy is comfortable in both the 2nd and back rows. He played most of his rugby in his last year at school in the no.8 jersey. Unable to go to Craven Week last year due to Border’s ruling that a player signed to another union wouldn’t play for their Craven Week team, he’ll relish the chance to play provincial rugby again in the red and black hoops.
I caught up with Coach Robbie Kempson for a quick word before they boarded their flight on their way to Nelspruit. He had this to say, “We have quality talent in the Eastern Cape and the squad have bonded into a special unit together, and we’re looking forward to seeing them displaying their talents.”
All the best to the u21 team as they begin their big campaign in the pursuit of promotion to the u21 Currie Cup A division. The Kings Army is behind you.
EP Kings u21 team:
15 Siviwe Soyizwapi (Dale College)
14 Sergeal Petersen (Grey High School, PE)
13 Andile Jho (Dale College)
12 Shane Gates (Muir College)
11 Eben Barnard (Brandwag)
10 Marlou van Niekerk (Marlow Landbou)
09 Bangi Kobese (Dale College)
08 Aidon Davis (Daniel Pienaar)
07 Claude Tshidibi (Potch Boys’ High School)
06 Siphesihle Punguzwa (Selborne College)
05 Kevin Kaba (Queen’s College)
04 Kuhle Sonkosi (Westering High School)
03 Pieter Stemmet (Paul Roos Gymnasium)
02 Dane van der Westhuyzen (C) (St Andrew’s College)
01 Marzuq Maarman (Muir College)
Reserves:
16 Ruan Roberts (Daniel Pienaar)
17 Vukile Sofisa (Grey High School, PE)
18 Sanwell Jacobs (John Walton High School)
19 Wayvern Smith (Brandwag)
20 Sonwabo Majola (Muir College)
21 Ofentse Boloko (Selborne College)
22 Lonwabo Ntleki (KES)
HEAD COACH: Robbie Kempson
ASSISTANT COACH: Mzwandile Stick
Ludumo Nkabi
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ReplyDeleteQuality Kings side, only 2 of these men aren't from the EC, Pieter Stemmet and Claude Tshidibi. Ntleki was a Dalian until he was in grade 10, so he's very much an EC boy.
ReplyDeleteFinal score was 48-20, good performance by the lads
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