Preview: EP Kings v Lions

The Eastern Province Kings got a rude awakening of just how brutal the ABSA Currie Cup Competition can be when they travelled to Ellis Park to face the Xerox Lions in their first round match.

The Lions taught them a valuable lesson; respect is earned and you have to fight for every inch on the field as they outscored the Kings 9 tries to 3.

Ronnie Cooke managed to score the opening try for the Kings after just two minutes, but that was unfortunately the only say the Kings had for the next 38 minutes, as the Lions scored 4 tries in the first half.

Aidon Davis and Scott van Breda scored the Kings' second half tries, with van Breda and Gary van Aswegen adding one conversion each.

Both teams had to make some changes to their sides that played in the first game in Johannesburg.

Up front for the Kings, Egar Marutlulle and Tom Botha retain there spots at hooker and tight head with BG Uys replacing Lizo Gqoboka at loose head. Steven Sykes replaces Steven Cummins to finish off the tight five, and on the flank Paul Schoeman replaces Stefan Willemse.

Amongst the backs, Kevin Luiters replaces Tobie Botes who also forms a new combination with George Whitehead as he replaces Gary van Aswegen. 

Shane Gates will also have a new mid field partner this weekend as Ronnie Cooke replaces injured Tim Whitehead, this means Siyanda Grey will come in on the wing with Siviwe Soyizwapi. Scott van Breda will fill in at his regular position at the back.

The Kings have also made some changes to their bench with Mike van Vuuren replacing Albe De Swardt, Charles Marais replacing CJ  van der Linde. Shaun MacDonald and Stefan Willemse comes in to cover at lock and loose forward. Tobie Botes moves to the bench for the return match with Dwayne Jenner and Ntbeni Dukisa.

The Lions also had to make some late changes to their side that beat the Kings, 60 - 19, a fortnight ago.

The changes amongst the forwards are, Armand van der Merwe replaces Robbie Coetzee at hooker and Warwick Tecklenburg replaces Derick Minnie who moves to the bench. 

Changes amongst the backs see, Andries Coetzee moving from fullback where he played in the last match to flyhalf where he replaces Jaco van der Walt. Alwyn Hollenbach replaces Harold Vorster at inside center and Courtnall Skosan replacing Ruan Combrinck who moves to fullback in the only other change to the backline. 

Kick-off will be at 7pm.

EP Kings:

15 Scott van Breda 14 Siyanda Grey13 Ronnie Cooke12 Shane Gates 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi 10 George Whitehead 9 Kevin Luiters 8 Aidon Davis 7 Paul Schoeman 6 Thembelani Bholi 5 Steven Sykes 4 David Bulbring 3 Tom Botha 2 Edgar Marutlulle 1 BG Uys

Reserves:

16 Mike van Vuuren 17 Charles Marais 18 Shaun MacDonald 19 Stefan Willemse 20 Tobie Botes 21 Dwayne Jenner  22 Ntbeni Dukisa  

Xerox Lions:

15 Ruan Combrinck 14 Lionel Mapoe (c) 13 Stokkies Hanekom 12 Alwyn Hollenbach 11 Courtnall Skosan 10 Andries Coetzee 9  Ross Cronje 8  Willie Britz 7 Warwick Tecklenburg 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Franco Mostert 4 MB Lusaseni 3 Ruan Dreyer 2 Armand van der Merwe 1 Schalk van der Merwe

Reserves:

16 Willie Wepener 17 Jacques van Rooyen 18 Martin Muller 19 Derick Minnie 20 Albertus “Kwagga” Smith 21 Ricky Schroeder 22 Howard Mnisi

EP Kings to face the Lions

The Eastern Province Kings team that will take on the Xerox Golden Lions at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this weekend has been announced.

Head Coach Carlos Spencer said they had not yet finalised who the captain would be, what with Luke Watson being out with a concussion, but said Aidon Davis would take up Watson’s spot at 8th man on Saturday.

Spencer said BG Uys came in for Lizo Gqoboka, who was being rested following a long three games.

“[Lizo’s] gone through quite a high workload in terms of pre season and the last few weeks and BG has been working hard and deserves this opportunity,” he said.

Spencer also announced that Gary van Aswegen would sit the game out as he had been battling with a groin injury for the last two or three weeks and it was important to manage him and allow him to recover.

Tim Whitehead, who had sustained a knock to the knee on Saturday, had made a huge improvement over the past few days and Spencer said they would make a call on his availability Wednesday morning.

“If he doesn’t come through Ronnie Cooke will move to Centre, with Siyanda Grey moving to wing, from the bench,” he said.

Spencer said he felt the players had come a long way since their game against the Lions at Ellis Park.

I definitely believe [we can turn it around] I thought we made huge strides on the weekend [against the Bulls] and thought we made a huge step up,” he said.

“We do realise it is going to be a challenge but the guys are looking forward to it. It’s just a matter of carrying what we did last week into this week and improving another 5 or 10%,” he said.

EP Kings:

1 BG Uys 2 Edgar Marutlulle 3 Tom Botha 4 David Bulbring 5 Steven Sykes 6 Thembelani Bholi 7 Paul Schoeman 8 Aidon Davis 9 Kevin Luiters 10 George Whitehead 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi 12 Shane Gates 13 Tim Whitehead/Ronnie Cooke 14 Ronnie Cooke/Siyanda 15 Grey Scott van Breda

Replacements:

16 Mike van Vuuren 17 Charles Marais 18 Shaun MacDonald 19 Stefan Willemse 20 Tobie Botes 21 Siyanda Grey/Dwayne Jenner 22 Ntbeni Dukisa

EP Kings u21 wins comfortably against Boland

The EP Kings u21s scored three second half tries as they outscored the Boland, 23 – 3, at the Uitenhage Central Grounds this past Friday night.

Kings fly-half Matthys Venter and Boland’s fullback Ryno Conradie exchanged first half penalties, as the teams went into the half time break 3 all.

After a slow first half, it was all Eastern Province in the second half, starting with a Venter penalty five minutes after half time, as he gave his team a 6 – 3 lead.

Kings flank, Siphe Punguzwa scored the Kings’ first try as the game reached the final quarter, Venter converted to stretch the Kings’ lead to 13 – 3.

With five minutes left Kings flyer, Sergeal Petersen scored his teams second try, Venter missed the conversion, but the game was pretty much out of reach for Boland as the Kings led 18 – 3 with only a few minutes of play left.

There was, however, still enough time left for Claude Tshidibi to score his teams third and final try, Venter was again unsuccessful with the conversion, but the Kings still won comfortably at the end, 23 – 3.

Failing to secure the bonus point, means the Kings are now equal on 14 points with SWD after 3 games.

The Kings’ next match will be against Limpopo BB, currently in 3rd place on 6 points from 2 games, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Scorers

EP Kings u21 (23) – Tries: Siphe Punguzwa, Sergeal Petersen, Claude Tshidibi, Conversions: Matthys Venter (1), Penalties: Venter (2)

Boland u21 (3) – Penalty: Ryno Conradie

Kings u19s beat Free State

The Eastern Province Kings u19s played host to the Free State u19s in their return match at the Central Grounds in Uitenhage on Friday night.

The game was evenly matched, as both teams scored two tries, it was however a late penalty from the reliable boot of Kings full back Malcolm Jaer who secured a four point win for the home team.

Andre Swarts opened the scoring for the Free State, after he slotted a penalty kick with only two minutes gone on the clock.

Kings center, Jeremy Ward ran in the Kings’ first try towards the end of the first half, Jaer was on target as he added the extra two. Kings took a late 7 – 3 lead with ten minutes to half time.

Free State prop, Ox Nche scored a try on half time, Swarts was unable to convert the extra two as the Free State took a one point lead into the half time break.

Five minutes into the second half it was Ward’ center partner Luan Nieuwoudt who crossed the line for the Kings’ second try. Jaer was on target yet again as he added the extra’s, Kings regained  a 14 – 8 lead.

With time running out for the Free State, Tyron Goddard scored a try on the 60th minute, Swarts was unable to convert as Free State trailed by one point going into the last 10 minutes, 14 – 13.

The Kings got a last minute penalty, and with Jaer being on target the whole evening he had no problem adding the extra three points, and in doing so putting the final nail in the Free State coffin.

Kings running out victors, beating Free State 17 – 13.

The win means, the Kings move up one position on the log, currently forth after seven games, three log points behind third placed Free State on 17.

They enjoy a bye this week before they face the 5th placed Sharks, who still have two games in hand, on the 7th of September in Port Elizabeth.

Scorers

EP Kings u19 (17) – Tries: Jeremy Ward, Luan Nieuwouldt, Conversions: Malcolm Jaer (2), Penalty: Jaer

Free State u19 (13) – Tries: Ox Nche, Tyron Goddard, Penalty: Andre Swarts

Tough day for EP teams at first day of Southern Amateur tournament

Eastern Province Rugby Union clubs had a tough start at the beginning of the SA Rugby Southern Amateur Provincial Tournament hosted by EP Rugby in Humansdorp this week.

The first match saw the Eastern Province Country Districts team fall to an on form SWD, with a number of tactical errors seeing the home side go down 7 to 29.

The EP invitational team, which played against Western Province early afternoon put up a brave fight and were even at 12 points a side going into half time. Western Province, however, proved to be the more conditioned side in the second half, and ran in four tries in just 15 minutes.

EP Invitational gained their second wind in the dying minutes of the game, to claw back to a respectable 24 points, but were unable to close the gap. The final score for that match was 36 points to 24.

In the final match of the day, EP Urban went up against a determined Boland team. It was a close game with both sides playing their hearts out at the pristine Vosloo Park fields in Humansdorp.

Boland gained the edge over EP going into the break 10 points to EP on 6.

Boland’s discipline let them down in the second half, with two players being sent off with yellow cards shortly after each other, taking them down to 13 men on the field, but EP battled to get past the determined Boland defenders. The final score saw Boland take the match 34 points to EP on 21.

The arch rivalry between Border and Border Rural also saw the two teams battling it out for bragging rights during the first day. Although both teams got off to a slow start, it was Border Rural who eventually dominated the first half, going into the break 15 points to nil against the Urbancounterparts.

Harsh words must have been spoken in the Border change room at half time because they came back firing on all cylinders, closing the gap to just 1 point 15 minutes into the second half.

A penalty conversion saw Border Rural pull ahead briefly, but a converted try on the final whistle by Border saw them walk away victorious 24 points to Border rural on 21.

The next matches will be played on Wednesday, 27 August 2014.

10:30 EP Rural vs Border Rural

12:15 EP Invitational vs EP Urban

14:00 SWD vs Border Urban

16:00 Western Province vs Boland

SOUTHERN AMATEUR PROVINCIAL RUGBY TOURNAMENT

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

This is an annual tournament that is hosted by a different Rugby Province of SARU. Boland hosted the tournament last year. Eastern Province Rugby Union were given the right to host this tournament earlier this year. The dates are 24-29 August 2014 and will be hosted by Kouga Sub Union (Humansdorp) on behalf of EPRU and ultimately on behalf of SARU.

There are only three playing dates, due to the physicality of the Rugby, Monday, 25 August, Wednesday, 27 August and Friday 29 August 2014. Vosloo Park and Humansdorp Secondary are the playing venues.

There is a Local Organising Committee in place under the leadership of Phillip Joseph (Vice President of EPRU). The Kouga Municipality and Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Cacadu District are part of the planning for this event, without whose contributions this event will not be as it ought to be and we want to thank them for that.

1. FORMAT
   Eight (8) teams will participate in the Southern Amateur Provincial Tournament.

The eight (8) teams play a knock-out basis.  In the first round Provinces will play against one another, based on their log positions of the 2013 tournament.

After the first round the four (4) losers play for the plate Competition whilst the winners will compete for the Cup.

TEAM RANKINGS 2013:
1. Western Province
2. South Western Districts
3. Border
4. Eastern Province
5. Boland
6. Border CD
7. E.P. CD
8. E.P. Invitational XV

EP u19s to face Free State

The Eastern Province u19s will face the Free State Cheetahs u19s at the Central Fields in Uitenhage on Friday.

The Free State Cheetahs won the first encouter in Bloemfontein 26 - 9, on the 26th of July.

EP u19s are currently 5th on the log in Group A, with 2 wins from 6 games.

Eastern Province u19:

15 Malcolm Jaer 14 Martin Keller 13 Jeremy Ward 12 Luan Niewouldt 11 Lindelwe Zungu 10 Jasson Baggott 9 Kewan Gibb 8 Wynand Grassmann 7 Tylar Paul 6 CJ Velleman (c) 5 Sintu Manjezi 4 Gerrit Huisamen 3 James Beyl 2 JP Jamieson 1 David Murray

Reserves:

16 Dyllon Domoney 17 Christopher Whiting 18 Thembelihle Yase 19 Elandre van der Merwe 20 Mhlali Nichukana 21 Garrick Matheus 22 Vincient Moss 23 Dylan Vermaak

EP Kings to face Blue Bulls

Eastern Province Kings head coach, Carlos Spencer, announced a number of changes to the forward pack that will take on the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus this weekend.

Luke Watson will once again lead the team onto the field, having returned to training on Wednesday, after a bout of flu saw him withdrawn from the side at the last minute last week.

Junior Springbok Aidon Davis, who stood in for Watson at no. 8 against the Lions, will sit this game out due to the flu.

Up front Lizo Gqoboka, Edgar Marutlulle and Tom Botha retain their spots, but Steven Cummins and David Bulbring make way for the more experienced Darron Nell and Steven Sykes.

“Darron and Steven bring with them a bit of physicality up front, which we lacked in the last game and which we will need against the Bulls this week,” he said.

Stefan Willemse moves from outside flank to inside flank, with Thembelani Bholi making way for Paul Schoeman.

“Paul comes in because we felt we just need a bit more energy at the back and have someone who could put a bit of pressure on the breakdown,” he said.

Kevin Luiters also returns to the team, starting at scrumhalf, after missing out on the Lions game after getting a cut below his eye in training last week.

“Tobie [Botes] has had a bit of a problem with his wrist the past few weeks so he’s pulled out and Kevin will take his place, with Jaco [Grobler] on the bench,” he said.

The backs remain unchanged, with Gary van Aswegen at flyhalf, Siviwe Soyizwapi and Ronnie Cooke on wing and Shane Gates and Time Whitehead at inside and outside centre respectively. Scott van Breda will once again start at fullback.

Spencer also announced three new additions to the bench, with Albé de Swardt making way for Mike van Vuuren and former Lions prop, Charles Marais, making his debut for the Kings in place of CJ van der Linde who is out with a calf strain.

“Mike has been doing a lot of conditioning and been working hard over the past few weeks so we felt it was time for him to get an opportunity this week,” he said.

Siyanda Grey also joins the bench in place of Ntabeni Dukisa, who has also battled with a bit of flu as well as having taken a knock to the knee against the Lions.

Also on the bench are Steven Cummins, Thembelani Bholi, Jaco Grobler and George Whitehead.

Spencer said more experience was needed to help steady the team, especially when things were not going well on the field.

“Hopefully Steven and Darron will bring that experience. Especially when we’re down and falling behind on the scoreboard, we’ve had that lack of experience. This is a young group and a lot of them are still learning, so helpfully they will be able to lead by example.”

Spencer said they were expecting a tough game against the Bulls, as both teams would be looking for a win on Saturday.

“They are in a similar position as we are. They have their backs against the wall, they have lost two on the trot, as we have, and we’re going there to their home ground. From what I’ve heard they are under a bit of pressure so they’re going to come out firing,” he said.

Spencer said the team would need to make an impact early on.

“It is important after two losses that you get confidence early so they’re just going to go out there and get stuck into them,” he said.

EP Kings:
1. Lizo Gqoboka 2. Edgar Marutlulle 3. Tom Botha 4. Darron Nel 5. Steven Sykes 6. Stefan Willemse 7. Paul Schoeman 8. Luke Watson (Captain) 9. Kevin Luiters 10. Gary van Aswegen 11. Siviwe Soyizwapi 12.  Shane Gates 13. Tim Whitehead 14. Ronnie Cooke 15. Scott van Breda

Replacements:
16. Mike van Vuuren 17. Charles Marais 18. Steven Cummins 19. Themelani Bholi 20. Jaco Grobler 21. George Whitehead 22. Siyanda Grey

EP Kings u21 outscores Griffons 9 tries to 1

The Eastern Province Kings u21s scored five first half tries and four second half tries as they thumped the Griffons u21s 59 - 7, at the North West Stadium in Welkom on Saturday.

Kings' Sergeal Petersen opened the scoring for the visitors afters five minutes, conversion missed by Matthys Venter as the Kings took an early 5 - 0 lead.

Selvyn Davids scored his first try of the evening a few minutes later, Venter was on target with the extra two, 12 - 0 for the visitors.

It did not take Petersen long to cross the line again, as he scored his second try of the evening, again Venter was unsuccessful with the conversion, but the Kings had a comfortable 17 - 0 lead after just 20 minutes.

Ivan-John du Preez and Mario Mowers scored back to back tries, Venter converted both tries as the Kings took a demanding 31 - 0 lead into the half time break.

Kings' Siphu Msutwana started the second half with two unanswered tries, the first after just three minutes into the half, the second came in the 60th minutes, Venter converted both tries as the Kings took a 45 - 0 lead.

Five mintes later Selvyn Davids scored his second try of the evening, Venter kicked his 6th conversion to give the Kings a 52 point lead.

Griffons' Bren Marais scored a consolation try for his team in the 70th minutes, Rynardt Muller added the extra two, 52 - 7.

It was a fitting end for Kings captain Kevin Kaba to score his teams 9th and final try of the evening, Venter kicked his seventh conversion to give the Kings a 59 - 7 win.

The EP Kings are leading Group B of the ABSA Under 21 Competition with 10 points, after two bonus point wins from two games, second is SWD on 9 followed by Boland with a game in hand on 5. Valke are also on 5 points but they already played their 2 games. Griquas, Limpopo BB, Griffons and the Pumas form the bottom 4.  

 Their next game will the against Boland on the 22nd of August at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth at 7pm.

Scorers:

EP Kings u21 (59) - Tries: Sergeal Petersen (2), Selvyn Davids (2), Ivan-John du Preez, Mario Mower, Siphu Msutwana (2), Kevin Kaba, Conversions: Matthys Venter (7)

Griffons u21 (7) - Tries: Reynardt Muller, Conversion: Bren Marais 

Good win for u19s at Ellis Park

The Eastern Province u19 side turned an 8 - 7 half time lead against the Golden Lions u19 into an 18 - 7 win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Golden Lions fullback, Kobus Engelbrecht scored the only try for the home team in the 7th minute, Frederik Bezuidenhout kicked the extra two to take an early 7 - 0 lead.

Kings' Malcolm Jaer kicked a penalty two minutes later to narrow the gap to four points.

CJ Vellerman scored the Kings' first try with a minute to play until half time, Jaer was unsuccessful with the conversion as the Kings took a one point lead into the half time break.

Jaer stretched their lead further through a penalty kick in the 48th minute, taking the score to 11 - 7.

Left wing, Lindelwe Zungu scored the Kings' final try, Jaer converted to give the Kings an 18 - 7 win.

The Kings are currently 5th on 10 points in Group A, with 2 wins from 6 games.

Their next match will be against the Free State u19s at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on the 22nd of August at 5pm.

Scorers:

EP Kings u19 (18) - Tries: CJ Vellerman, Lindelwe Zungu, Conversion: Malcolm Jaer (1), Penalties: Jaer (2) 

Golden Lions u19 (7) - Tries: Kobus Engelbrecht, Conversion: Frederik Bezuidenhout