EP Kings team announced for Blue Bulls clash

Rugby news from the Home of the Kings:

EP Kings team announced for Blue Bulls clash:

The Eastern Province Kings will face the Blue Bulls without skipper Schalk Ferreira, after he was ruled out of selection following a groin strain sustained last week against Boland.

Head Coach Barend Pieterse announced that Ricky Schroeder has been appointed captain, with hooker Mike Willemse as vice captain.

Pieterse has made four changes to his starting line up, including two positional changes, with Siviwe Shakes Soyizwapi moving from fullback to right wing to replace Alcino Isaacs  and Johan Tromp moving to fullback from outside centre.

Pieterse has also called up Burton Klaasen from the bench, to fill outside centre, while John Forwood also moves off the bench to replace Ferreira at prop.

Four new players join the bench, including Barend Potgieter, Ettienne Oosthuizen, Luke van der Smit and Minenhle Mthethwa.

Oosthuizen, who hails from UJ,  and van der Smit, who has played for Western Province at U19, U21 and Currie Cup level, are both new additions to the squad, having only arrived this week.

Pieterse said he was expecting a tough game against the Bulls at Loftus.

“We can expect a very physical confrontation up front, with the backline looking at spreading the ball wide and gaining momentum,” he said.

Pieterse said the team had focused on what their strengths were and would continue working on them as the season progressed.

“We could spend the whole week just focusing on defense in preparation for the Bulls game, but it is important that we focus on improving on areas where we lacked in our previous game and growing from that,” he said.

Pieterse said the team had also spent some time on team building during the week.

“There is a great spirit among the players at the moment and it is important that we keep that going, as it is going to be a tough season for us,” he said.

The Team:
15.          Johan Tromp
14.          Siviwe Soyizwapi
13.          Burton Klaasen
12.          Waylon Murray
11.          Sampie Mastriet
10.          Kobus Marais
9.            Ricky Schroeder (C)
8.            Christiaan de Bruin
7.            Sebastian Ferreira
6.            Vince Jobo
5.            David Antonites
4.            Tazz Fuzani
3.            Vukile Sofisa
2.            Mike Willemse (VC)
1.            Justin Forwood

Reserves
16.          Martin Bezuidenhout
17.          Barend Potgieter
18.          Ettienne Oosthuizen
19.          Luke van der Smit
20.          Jacques Fick
21.          Minenhle Mthethwa
22.          Lungelo Goza

Eastern Province Rugby

Gardens win coveted Grand Challenge trophy:

Gardens were crowned worthy champions after beating PE Harlequins 27-13 in the EP Rugby Grand Challenge final played in slippery conditions at the Central City Stadium in Uitenhage last night.

The final was rescheduled after match officials had been unable to clear the Kemsley Park field following a pitch invasion after the main curtain- raiser on Saturday.

There were no such problems last night, as Gardens turned on the charm to cruise to a comfortble victory and their first Grand Challenge title.

Gardens came out firing and were rewarded with a penalty after a high tackle on outside centre Kirwan Ceasar.

Fullback Ryan Brown added the three points to put the Uitenhage side up 3-0 in the opening five minutes.

Three minutes later, Harlequins replied with a drop goal from flyhalf Liam Bosman to put his side level.

In the 18th minute, a Gardens lineout in the Harlequins’ 22 was followed by a driving maul, which saw eighth man Nathal Forbes crash over for the opening try of the game.

Ten minutes later, Harlequins replied through the boot of fullback Erwin Williams to cut the deficit to 10-6. Gardens counterattacked two minutes later as right wing Ketchim Denino crossed the line for the game’s second try.

The second half resumed with Harlequins on the attack. It took three scrums and six phases in the Gardens 22 before referee Sindile Ngcese called for a penalty try in the 49th minute, which was converted by Williams to make the score 17-13.

Gardens, however, replied almost immediately through flank Collin Webb, who crossed the line to cancel out the Harlequins try.

Gardens ran in their fourth try of the game with only five minutes left as lock Felix Marvin took a quick tap to cross the tryline. Gardens will now look to conquer East London Police on Saturday in the Gold Cup

 

Eastern Province Rugby