"We just need to play as a team"

Dane van der Westhuizen led the Eastern Province u21 side to well-earned victory in Grobersdal, Limpopo, triumphing 37-33 in a very tough away encounter. The win secured the top spot for the Kings ahead of the play-offs ending the league stage with 35 log points, 5 clear of the 2nd placed Boland side. Robbie Kempson’s men will take on the 4th placed Griquas u21s at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in one semi-final. The men from Port Elizabeth won their round 3 league encounter 53-0 at GWK Park in Kimberly. This time however will be completely different as the play-offs always prove much closer games. The Kings named a strong side with good consistency for the semi-final with minimal changes from last week’s side.

 

There is consistency in the forward combinations with only one change in the pack of forwards. The front row remains the same as Brendan Olivier retains the loosehead berth, captain and hooker is retained in the middle of the front row. 20 year old Mzuvukile Sofisa gets another chance to anchor the scrum at tighthead prop. Kuhle Sonkosi and Kevin Kaba also continue as a combination in the 2nd row to complete an unchanged tight 5. Wayvern comes in at openside in the only change in the pack. Claude Tshibidi will pack down on the blinside flank and will be an additional lineout option in the back row. Aidon Davis will be at the back of the scrum, the big no.8, just 19 years old, has been in good form and has been starting at no.8 in all the games.  

 

There are two changes in the backline with Siphumelele Msutwana coming back into the starting XV on the left wing for Ofentse Boloko, after missing out last week with a hamstring strain. Marlou van Niekerk came off early in the 2nd half last week with yet another concussion and will probably be out for the rest of the season. The smaller, quicker and more elusive Andile Jho comes in for bigger, hard running Marlou, his physicality will be missed in midfield. Joining Sphu Msutwana in the back three is the consistent, big, strong and quick Eben Barnard on the right wing and mesmerizing Shakes Soyizwapi at fullback. Shane Gates will partner Ace Jho in the centres as they look direct play in the midfield. The halfbacks are unchanged once again with Ivan Ludick starting at 9 and Zorba Allerston running the game from the pivot.

 

The bench is mostly unchanged with Selborne College old boy Yakha Qinela continuing to deputise for Dane, while Pieter Stemmet will also look to make an impact in the front row later on in the game. Brendan Hector drops out of the 22 man squad with Stefan Zaayman coming back after a few weeks sidelined with injury. Stefan will wear the no.18 jersey and will be eased back into action. Siphesihle Punguzwa also plays off the bench this week after making way for Wayvern Smith in the run on side. Magic Majola continues as cover for Ivan Ludik at scrumhalf. Gavin Hauptfleisch and Lonwabo Ntleki make up the rest of the backline replacements.

 

Dane had very few words for us as I asked for his thought ahead of the important semi-final, “There is nothing much to say, it’s simple, we just need to play as a team and then everything else will take care of itself”

Good luck to all the u21s and the coaches ahead of the most important game for this campaign thus far. The match kicks off at 4:30pm and will be the curtain raiser to the senior semi-final.

 

Kings u21

15: Siviwe Soyizwapi (Dale College)

14: Eben Barnard (Brandwag)

13: Andile Jho (Dale College)

12: Shane Gates (Muir College)

11: Siphumelele Msutwana (Dale College)

10: Ruan Allerston (Port Natal)

09: Ivan Ludick (Oakdale Landbou)

08: Aidon Davis (Daniel Pienaar)

07: Claude Tshibidi (Potch Boys’ High School)

06: Wayvern Smith (Brandwag)

05: Kevin Kaba (Queen’s College)

04: Kuhle Sonkosi (Westering High School)

03: Vukile Sofisa (Grey High School, PE)

02: Dane van der Westhuyzen (St Andrew’s College)

01: Brendan Olivier (Nico Malan)

 

Reserves

16: Yakha Qinela (Selborne College)

17: Pieter Stemmet (Paul Roos Gymnasium)

18: Stefan Zaayman (Framesby High School)

19: Siphesihle Punguzwa (Selborne College)

20: Sonwabo Majola (Muir College)

21: Gavin Hauptfleisch (Boishaai)

22: Lonwabo Ntleki (KES)

 

HEAD COACH: Robbie Kempson

ASSISTANT COACH: Mzwandile Stick

 

Ludumo Nkabi - follow on twitter @ludz19