The Kings u19s got back to winning ways with a good win over the Limpopo Blue Bulls u19 side in Grobersdal, recording a 26-17 win. They broke a 3 match losing streak, the juniors were due a victory as they lost marginally in 2 of the 3 games. Their victory however was only good enough to secure them the 3rd spot on the log and they will now face the 2nd placed Boland in Wellington. They lost to Boland by 26 points to 24 in the round 5 fixture which was also in Wellington. This time they go there in a much better mental space coming off a victory. Ryan Felix named a settled side to take on the Boland u19 side.
The front 5 sees no changes with David Murray set to continue at loosehead prop. JP Jamieson is at hooker once again. Matthew Moore who celebrated his 19th birthday yesterday will lead the side from tighthead prop. The inspirational skipper is a well respected young man in the Kings set-up and looks like a man with a big future in the game. The combination of Grey schoolboys has developed with both Gerrit Huisamen and Stephan Ebersohn playing very important roles in the engine room. The only change in the pack is John-Henry Schmitt coming in on the openside, the Oudtshoorn High School old boy played there in the 1st few games before returning to his favoured hooker position. Tyler Paul is retained at 7 and will look to add his bulk as a ball carrier and be an additional lineout option in the back row. Erwin Slabbert is another consistent player who’s enjoyed a good season at 8. The hardworking no.8 is a robust ball carrier and puts in the big hits on defence.
The Kings Fraternity were buoyed by the news that Port Elizabeth’s favourite son, Sergeal Petersen, was fit to play again. The gifted young winger has been struggling with a hamstring problem since May while he was still playing Super Rugby. I applaud the management for excellent management as they have decided that it’s best to play Sergeal with the u19s. It is very important that the supporters realise that Sergeal is still very young and needs to be carefully managed in order to avoid any serious injuries early in his career. Sergeal will run on the right wing and will be on debut for Ryan Felix’s u19 side and will bring a lot of experience to the side.
There are a few more changes to the backline with Jason Baggott shifting back to scrumhalf this week after playing flyhalf in Alex Banfield’s absence last week. Alex returns to assume the pivot role. The last change is the return of Selvyn Davids at outside centre after sitting out last week with a knock to the knee, Sherwin Slater drops to the bench. Luan Niewoudt retains the inside centre berth and will resume the partnership with schoolboy partner Selvyn. Sergeal will form part of a potent back 3 with Juandre Fourie on the left wing and Khaya Malotana at fullback.
The bench has 3 more new debutants this week, Jonathan Ford comes into the no.16 jersey, the hooker is a former Pearson High School boy who represented Eastern Province as a schoolboy in that position at Craven Weeks. The other 2 are current schoolboys with St Andrew’s deputy headboy, Ethan Fortuin set to make his debut off the bench, the young man has got deceptive pace, and he’s got great feet and can cover outside centre, wing and fullback. The last debutant is Kingswood tighthead prop Mvelo Khumalo, the mobile tighthead prop did most of his schooling at Maritzburg College in KZN and has represented the KZN Craven Week side last year. He had a good season with the Kingswood College 1st XV. Bathandwa Cafu who makes way for JH Schmitt will look to make an impact off the bench. Francois Nel also reverts back to the bench with Alex Banfield returning to the run on side. Simile Qinela, Dewald Meyer and Sherwin Slater make up the rest of the bench.
Matthew was very excited ahead of today’s clash with Boland when I spoke with him last night, “Well I think our captain’s run today was the best we’ve had this season, the team is looking very good and really positive ahead of the semi tomorrow.” He added, “We’re very excited to have Sergeal and Selvyn back. The boys are ready and we just want to do our best for everyone who is behind us and our Eastern Province Rugby Union and coaching staff.”
The Kings Army is behind you, all the best for the tough game. The game kicks off at 2pm in Wellington.
Kings u19
15: Khaya Malotana (Queen’s College)
14: Sergeal Petersen (Grey High School, PE)
13: Selvyn Davids (Nico Malan)
12: Luan Niewoudt (Nico Malan)
11: Juandre Fourie (Gill College)
10: Alex Banfield (Grey High School, PE)
09: Jason Baggott (St Andrew’s College)
08: Erwin Slabbert (Framesby High School)
07: Tyler Paul (St Andrew’s College)
06: JH Schmitt (Oudtshoorn High School)
05: Gerrit Huisamen (Grey High School, PE)
04: Stefan Ebersohn (Grey High School, PE)
03: Matthew Moore (Brandwag)
02: JP Jamieson (Grey High School, PE)
01: David Murray (St Andrew’s College)
Reserves
16: Jonathan Ford (Pearson High School)
17: Similile Qinela (Selborne College)
18: Bathandwa Cafu (Grey High School)
19: Dewald Meyer (Otto du Plessis)
20: Francois Nel (Daniel Pienaar)
21: Sherwin Slater (Andrew Rabie High School)
22: Ethan Fortuin (St Andrew’s College)
23: Mvelo Khumalo (Kingswood collegw)
HEAD COACH: Ryan Felix
ASSISTANT COACH: Rory Duncan
Ludumo Nkabi - follow on twitter @ludz19
No comments:
Post a Comment