The EP Kings have made a few changes to their side ahead of their final game against the Border Bulldogs, at the Buffallo City Stadium in East London on Friday evening. The Kings who beat the Valke 30 - 23 in Port Elizabeth last week will face a confident Border side after their surprising 26 - 22 win against the 3rd placed Leopards in Potchefstroom last week.
The Bulldogs have been impressive towards the end of their season, despite losing to the Griffons 24 - 19 in Welkom, they have managed wins over Leopards, Valke and Boland in their last four games.
The Kings will make it very difficult for the Bulldogs after announcing their strongest possible squad for their final match before the play-offs. Darron Nell will return to captain the side with Siyabonga Mangweni taking over the vice captaincy role from Steven Sykes. Ronnie Cooke returns to the midfield while Mpho Mbiyozo returns to the loose trio and Charl du Plessis to the side of the scrum.
Speaking about the game on Friday, Head Coach, David Maidza said the team would be looking at improving their performance from the game against the Valke, which had not been the team’s best performance, especially at the set piece.
“We are very happy to have some of the more senior players such as Darron and Ronnie returning to the team, and with them the experience and calmness they bring to the team,” he said.
Maidza said he was expecting a tough encounter in East London on Friday.
“The Bulldogs have definitely improved from the team they were two years ago, and have been playing very good rugby as the season has gone on. They have improved on their defence and have also reduced their error rate significantly, especially with ball in hand,” he said.
Nell, who said he was excited to be back after missing out a few games due to injury, said he was expecting a tough game that would be decided in the last 20 minutes, with the pack that worked the hardest securing the game.
“They have a very good kicking game and it will be a tough scrape in the first 60 minutes, they’re also very aggressive at the breakdown, but we have had a good two days at training and we’re confident,” he said.
In their last game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium the Kings had a narrow 9 - 6 win, but with only one game left before the play-offs they will definitely look to fire on all cylinders.
Kick off will be at 3pm.
EP Kings:
15 Scott van Breda 14 Michael Killian 13 Ronnie Cooke 12 Siyabonga Mangweni (VC) 11 Brian Skosana 10 George Whitehead 9 Dwayne Kelly 8 Tim Agaba 7 Mpho Mbiyozo 6 Devin Oosthuizen 5 Darron Nell (C) 4 Steven Sykes 3 Charl du Plessis 2 Albe de Swardt 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Reserves:
16 Boetie Britz 17 Ross Geldenhuys 18 Wayne van Heerden 19 Thabo Mamojele 20 Kayle van Zyl 21 Ntabeni Dukisa 22 Wayne Stevens
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