The Southern Kings will face Crusaders in the first game on Saturday (8:35 am SA time) at AMI Stadium in Christchurch New Zealand.
The Southern Kings have lost their 3 previous captains in Luke Watson, Darron Nell and Steven Sykes due to injuries. With Andries Strauss also injured the Kings will have their 4th captain in just as any games in Schalk Ferreira. Ferreira who had a good game against the Chiefs last Friday night will be assisted by Ronnie Cooke how will take the role as vice captain.
Director of Rugby Alan Solomons had the following to say about these two: “Schalk Ferreira, who I think is an exemplary player, who always gives everything in every game, will no doubt lead by example, and Ronnie Cooke as Vice Captain has shifted in fantastically, he is a superb player and a superb bloke".
Another player that will be missing the tour is SP Marais. Marais started all 3 previous games for the Kings but had to leave the field against the Chiefs due to injury which gave an opportunity for George Whitehead to come into the team. Kings have build a good platform but injuries have crept in and some new faces will have to step up and be counted for.
“Rynier Bernado comes in on the bench, obviously with Steve being out. I think it’s a great opportunity. Here’s a guy from Framesby, out of the academy, playing Super Rugby. I’ve said it before it’s the green shoots of what Robbie [Kempston] is doing at the academy and it’s fantastic,” said Solomons.
“What’s also fantastic to see is Waylon Murray, who had 30 minutes against Border (in the EP Kings Vodacom Cup game last week). He basically hasn’t played for a year and its fantastic having him as part of the setup. It’s fantastic for him personally and for the team,” Solomons said.
Solomons said the change of players on the tour would also add its own set of challenges, after French hooker Virgil Lacombe and Argentine flank Thomas Leonardi was flown back to South Africa, with Devin Oosthuizen and Edgar Marutlulle both named on the bench for Saturday.
“Obviously for Devin and Edgar, it’s quite tough for them. They only arrive tomorrow morning at 9am.”
Solomons said the game against the Crusaders was going to be a tough challenge.
“They’re absolutely a top side, and what I regard as a measure of respect, they’ve chosen their best team. They have picked their strongest possible team and for us I think that’s a huge challenge, but they’ve shown us that respect,” he said.
The Southern Kings team:
15 George Whitehead 14 Sergeal Petersen 13 Ronnie Cooke 12 Hadleigh Parkes 11 Marcello Sampson 10 Demetri Catrakilis 9 Shaun Venter 8 Jacques Engelbrecht 7 Wimpie van der Walt 6 Cornell du Preez 5 David Bulbring 4 Daniel Adongo 3 Kevin Duys 2 Bandise Maku 1 Schalk Ferreira (captain)
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle 17 Jaco Engels 18 Rynier Bernardo 19 Devin Oosthuizen 20 Nicolas Vergallo 21 Waylon Murray 22 Elric van Vuuren
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