With an injury cloud hanging over captain Luke Watson the Southern Kings have named Darron Nell as captain for their clash against the Sharks in Port Elizabeth this weekend.
rugby365
Watson was injured in the Kings’ 22-10 victory over the Western Force in their top flight debut two weeks ago, suffering a blow to the throat which caused extensive inflammation.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said the loose forward’s spot on the bench would be evaluated later in the week after a final fitness test.
“We are hoping Luke will be alright to take his place this weekend, but we will assess his position later,” Solomons said on Tuesday.
“Because we have such a big game against the Sharks this weekend, we did not want to delay the naming of the starting XV. We want it settled early in the week, hence we have to put Luke on the bench.”
“The consequence of that is that Darron [Nell] comes up in place of David Bulbring, and takes up the leadership of the side,” he said.
Watson’s place in the team has been taken by Jacques Engelbrecht, who made a big impact with his driving play against the Force, helping the Kings to victory.
Lock David Bulbring drops to the bench in place of Daniel Adongo, while Nicolas Vergallo replaces Johan Herbst among the substitutes.
Andries Strauss, who celebrates his 29th birthday this week, holds onto his vice captaincy, while Schalk Ferreira, who was battling a bit with a slight rib injury last week, has been named in the starting line-up.
The Kings have named an unchanged starting backline that produced a dominant display against the Force two weeks ago.
Nell has been a regular in the EP Kings set-up since playing for the invitation team which took on the 2009 British Lions and has proved a strong leader of the Eastern Province side.
“Darron has been with us from the start, in fact, longer than I have,” Solomons said.
“He has led the EP team with distinction. He will get strong support from vice-captain Andries Strauss and [lock] Steven Sykes who did such a good job when Luke left the field against the Force.”
Nell, who led a Kings franchise side in a friendly against the Sharks last year, said he was delighted to be included in the set-up.
“It’s a great honour to be here as the captain but we are facing a very different challenge from last year,” he said.
“This is a completely different ballgame, but we will be ready for it.”
Playing against one of South Africa’s top Super Rugby teams, Solomons said they hoped to have a full stadium in support after 32 000 fans came to watch the game against the Force.
“It’s good to have a few [three] home games to start with and we are hoping to have a full house on Saturday,” Solomons said.
“Given that the Sharks are one of South Africa’s premier teams, and from our encouraging performance against the Force, we are hoping for strong support.”
Southern Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Darron Nell (Captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Date: Saturday 9 March
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwessen
March 5th, 2013 at 17:13 SAST
I might find myself supporting the Sharks this weekend.
March 5th, 2013 at 17:25 SAST
1 @ Loosehead:
No doubts, me too.. simple choice really!
March 5th, 2013 at 23:26 SAST
Kings vice-captain Andries Strauss says they are eager to prove their worth against a Sharks team laden with Springboks this weekend.
The Kings started with a surprise 22-10 win over the Force in their first Super Rugby outing but know full well they’ll face a difference challenge in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.
However, Strauss, who turned 29 on Tuesday, said the team will be looking to up their intensity levels against their coastal rivals.
“As a team we have set ourselves goals, and winning one game doesn’t mean we’ve really achieved anything yet… There is a big onus on us to improve on that and if we want to win more games in this competition then we are going to have to improve on that.
“There is no better way than to take on a side with fifteen Springboks and showing the world once again that we can play this game,” he said.
March 5th, 2013 at 23:27 SAST
Meanwhile, head coach Matt Sexton said they were expecting the game to be quite physical, with the Sharks most likely to be looking at wearing down the Kings scrum.
“We will definitely be looking at improving our level of ball retention. If you consider that during the Western Force game we made in excess of a hundred tackles in the first half of the game, which, if you have to take those sort of statistics into every game, sooner or later you’re going to run out of petrol, so we want to make sure we retrieve the ball and hold onto it,” he said.
March 5th, 2013 at 23:28 SAST
Former Sharks player, Steven Sykes, who also takes to the field in his second game for the Kings, said he was looking forward to playing against his former team-mates.
“I think the people will treat us with a bit more respect than what they had before the season. I think we did very well in the first game that we played and we showed that we are here and we are here to stay. I don’t think people will send their second string sides down to us, so it’s a nice challenge for us as well.”
Sykes said he was also looking forward to playing to a full house at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
March 6th, 2013 at 08:28 SAST
I think that the commitment and intensity with which the Kings played against an admittedly poor Force side made them more friends than they lost.
Even as a die hard Lions supporter I was impressed by the way they closed the game out, and couldn’t help comparing that to some performances by the Lions and Cheetahs in recent years where on numerous occasions defeat has been grasped from the jaws of victory.
I will not be at all surprised if the Lions end up playing the Cheetahs in the promotion / relegation games at the end of the SR league section.
Maybe due to politics, maybe due to the (Chee)’tahs end last in the SA conference.
March 6th, 2013 at 09:28 SAST
Jeez, the people like to talk the Kings up…
This weekend we’ll really see where they stand… or fall.
Guts and passion will probably make them last for about a good half an hour…. then that dam wall will have to burst.
… if it does’nt, I’ll be very surprised and start looking at the Kings in a new light as far as playing possibilities are concerned.
At this stage they are no more than one-trick ponies and a mix of guts and passion – no more, no less!
March 6th, 2013 at 09:55 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Tend to agree with you there GBS. But Scrumdown has a valid point as well. But I cannot get myself to support the Kings.
March 6th, 2013 at 10:13 SAST
8 @ Lion4ever:
Look, I can’t get to like them and won’t be bullshitted or bullied into liking them by their supporters, cronies or apologists either.
As far as I’m concerned they are not worthy of having gotten Super Rugby status, simply because of the way it was gotten and done and crafted in the back rooms and because of the way the Lions were stabbed in the back in the process.
Logically this Franchise should have been built on the foundation of at least one strong Currie Cup Union who played in the Premier Division and not in the First Division. For that end SARU should have provided the necessary support and structures years ago to have made it possible to have had this one strong Currie Cup Premier Division side.
Add to that the stench which eminates from the Watson past (dad and son) and the deceit and guile which has surrounded the Squad… and I get to like it even less.
That they showed guts and enough passion in that first game against the rubbish Force is true and it is indeed correct that they closed that game out quite well, but seriously for the Southern Kings to end above the Cheetahs, they would have to pull quite a few rabbits out of the hat this year…. on the fumes of limited talent in the squad available.
March 6th, 2013 at 11:17 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Agree, GBS. I think all of us over the years have come up with feasible solutions that SARU could quite have easily implemented. They did surprise us with their performance, but how will they perform against the rest of the teams. The way the Rebels are playing, it will be a big ask for them to win any more games.
March 6th, 2013 at 11:18 SAST
loosehead @ 1, gbs @ 2
why?
March 6th, 2013 at 11:27 SAST
11 @ Ashley:
Why not?
March 6th, 2013 at 11:49 SAST
11 @ Ashley:
My superbru needs it.
I think that I am last.
March 6th, 2013 at 12:09 SAST
loosehead @ 13
lol, i think you are!! saw you struggling last week!! see you have the same problem as me … picking with the heart!!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:13 SAST
gbs @ 12
if you “support” the sharks on bru, then i’d understand … but if you support the sharks against the kings, then you’re just plain stupid (meant in the nicest way, btw!!)
March 6th, 2013 at 12:14 SAST
15 @ Ashley:
Check comment No 9
March 6th, 2013 at 12:16 SAST
Ashley, I will repeat this ad nauseum. I will support any team that plays against the Kings.
March 6th, 2013 at 12:19 SAST
lions @ 17
i know!!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:20 SAST
gbs @ 9
in my view (does that make me an apologist?) theres TWO culprits here … and none of them the kings/spears/ep.
youre right … they (the kings) SHOULDVE come into superrugby on the strength of playing AT LEAST one or two seasons in the cc … but can you see the kings’ predicament here … how many players can you think of that wouldve left their own unions on the promise of MAYBE being included in superrugby? so how could they have been judge on the STRENGTH of their performance in cc rugby when they had no chance to bring big names to their union? now, SARUGBY on numerous occasion PROMISED superrugby inclusion to the eastern cape, and then never delivered. SARU had ample time and oppertunity (remember the expansion not so long ago to super15) to cater for the inclusion of the kings without any hick-ups (and without the lions losing their place in the process), but they were never planning to keep their promise (again), so why provide for it? it was SARU who gave the lions the insurance that they will not lose their place, no-one else!
now, i said there was two culprits here … the other is the lions themselves. they allowed their administration to ruin a once proud union and make them the laughing stock of superrugby, not to mention claims of bankruptcy etc etc etc. the best thing theyve done in years is (with the help of SARU) organising the current competition the lions is playing in (and that was borne out of desperation)!
now
i for one would like to see the kings do well in this competition. whether they will, remain to be seen. their first game though gave us an indication, not only what they can bring into the sarugby landscape in terms of audiences, but also the kind of players they can give exposure to (who in most cases never wouldve gotten that exposure).
..
there! thats my 10c worth!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:40 SAST
19 @ Ashley:
SARU lies at the root of most of my ire towards the Southern Kings… but that is not where it stops… and a lenghty discussion could follow why I do not like the 2 Watsons and view them as opportunists with agendas.
Suffice to say, I don’t like the Watsons.
Now, why would I pick The Sharks over the Southern Kings?
Well, because I like the way the Sharks have built depth and a strong brand over the years… with clever business strategies and good marketing! I respect that!
My South African preferences for team support is:
1. Bulls
2. Cheetahs
3. Stormers
4. Sharks
Then, going over to our Anzac brothers accross the pond:
5. Chiefs
6. Highlanders
7. Hurricanes
8. Blues
9. Crusaders
10. Brumbies
11. Waratahs
12. Reds
Then, and then only:
13. Southern Kings
14. Melbourne Rebels
15. Western Force
Must admit that No 13 – 15 are very, very close together and on any other day I might interchange them…
So, there you have it, I will support at least 12 sides before the Southern Kings.
March 6th, 2013 at 12:45 SAST
gbs @ 20
i was merely refering to the fact that we are playing in conferences and that nowadays you would prefer teams like the sharks etc to drop a few points here and there and thus give your own team a better chance at topping your conference (and so get a home play-off spot)!
btw
the bulls wouldnt even get a mention on my log!!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:48 SAST
on the watsons … look i dont know these guys … so i will, like with everyone else, give them the benefit of the doubt. i dont know whether you had personal contact with one or both of them to give you better insight!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:51 SAST
btw, how can you be angry with the kings if you concede that saru is the root of your anger?
March 6th, 2013 at 12:52 SAST
21 @ Ashley:
I would want the Sharks to get 5 Log points, because ultimately I want 3 SA sides in the top 6.
The Bulls must pull finger and get their Log points to have a home play-off spot… no freebies!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:55 SAST
23 @ Ashley:
I am miffed at the way they got in and at their own and Watson’s hand in the dark room brawls…
Look, just accept that I don’t fancy the Southern Kings, not at all.
March 6th, 2013 at 12:58 SAST
gbs @ 24
jou ou grapjas!! 3 sa teams i die top 6 … nou daais ñ goeie een!!
March 6th, 2013 at 12:58 SAST
26 @ Ashley:
Daar was inderdaad 3 in 2012.
March 6th, 2013 at 13:01 SAST
gbs @ 25
i have no problem if you do not fancy the kings. i am just confused with all the anger/hatred piled onto the kings when it shouldve been directed at SARU!
March 6th, 2013 at 13:02 SAST
gbs @ 27
and the game have moved on since then
March 6th, 2013 at 13:06 SAST
Jaques Engelbrecht is n yster!
Hoop vir Sharks se part hulle bring vir daai Lukas Watshonbu vroeg op……
March 6th, 2013 at 13:07 SAST
28 @ Ashley:
With 1 weaker side in the SA Conference, the top 3 SA sides should get 10 Log points from the Southern Kings alone, whilst that could never be said when the Lions were playing.
It’s early days, let’s see if the game has moved on so much.
First indication of that will be when your Stormpoppies play the Chiefs, not so?
March 6th, 2013 at 13:09 SAST
30 @ Pietman:
Helloooooooooooo
March 6th, 2013 at 13:10 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Don’t quite know where to start but here goes.
I think that over the years I’ve tried very hard, as a herdened Lions supporter to be objective and honest in my comments and articles, and I see no reason to change now.
I agree that the way in which the Kings gained access to SR was wrong, but at the same time, as Luke Watson has said publicly, it wasn’t their choice that it should happen thus.
Whether the Kings are or are not good enough to be in the Super Rugby competition remains to be seen, however, the performances of the Lions over the last decade or so has already shown that they are not good enough to compete in Super Rugby.
I’m sure that many Lions fans will disagree with my viewpoint, but anyone with any degree of common sense MUST agree with the results.
Having said that, I will also NEVER support any non-SA side in SR, or any other club or provincial competition,
As you rightly point out, SARU are the reason why the Kings are “public enemy number 1″. Their underhandedness and lack of transparency in the way in which this issue was handled continues to cause bile to raise in my throat whenever I think about it.
That SARU should have found a way to accomodate the Kings is a given, but at the same time the fact that Mr Watson Snr spouts nonsense to all and sundry (especially any political ear available) further disenfranchises him / the Kings from the neutral Rugby observer.
Having said that, the vast majority of Rugby “supporters” in South Africa still give almost unwavering support to SARU and their structures, with a few moaning and groaning from time to time but doing absolutely NOTHING in trying to change the status quo.
IE They swallow the BullSh1t hook line and sinker whenever 22 men pull a green and gold jersey over their heads and take to the field, and all of SARU’s past sins are forgotten until the next thing transpires to remind everyone of their failings.
As I have said before, I personally will never support SARU or any of their structures or teams again until there is meaningful change in the way in which they run Rugby Union in South Africa, and I can honestly say that I can’t see that happening in the next 10 years, and whilst I now refuse to actively support any SA national Rugby side (they’re not Springboks anymore in my opinion), I will never support any of their opposition sides either.
For the Kings, I hope they have a successful year of Super Rugby. As a Lions supporter they are not my enemy until it’s confirmed that the promotion / relegation games are to be played against them.
As for the rest of the SA Super Rugby teams, I wish the Bulls and Sharks well a successfull campaign, but I will NEVER be able to forgive either the Stormers or Cheetahs for their back stabbing exploits at the deciding SR vote, after both had committed in writing that the Kings inclusion should not be at the expense of any of the (then) current SA sides in the competition.
March 6th, 2013 at 13:17 SAST
19 @ Ashley:
Do you honestly believe that SARU had a hand in organising anything to do with the Lions Challenge?
I don’t!
However, I do agree that to a large extent the Lions were architects in their own downfall, nad will continue to be the reason why they (IMO) won’t get back into SR next year, irrespective of who (if) they play in any promotion / relegation games.
March 6th, 2013 at 13:18 SAST
gbs @ 31
ons gaan kaaaaaaaaaaaak!!
March 6th, 2013 at 13:18 SAST
@ grootblousmile
Jisja bruvva.
Praat later weer, gooi n paar draaie gaan gooi voor die naweek (more is mos Saterdag hier!)
March 6th, 2013 at 13:20 SAST
@ Ashley:
What did the Kings/Spears do to ready themselves for Super Rugby? From the inception of the Spears and the subsequent evolution into the Kings, all they did was bleat that they deserved a place. The administration of the Spears made whatever the Lions did look like a slick professional outfit.
If memory serves me correctly, a tournament involving the 3 making up the Kings, a couple of North American combination sides and one other team was mooted not so long ago. That idea was apparanetly ready to go, but I think the Kings scotched the plans. They may not have been able to attract real top flight players to this competition, but they would have been able to attract some youngsters with great potential who would otherwise not have been able to play Super Rugby.
If I think of SARU I will *&%&#@!
March 6th, 2013 at 13:21 SAST
33 @ Scrumdown:
Hello Mr Kempton Park 1979!
Hehehe
You go quite far in your disdain aimed at SARU.
In my mind SARU is NOT the Springboks, neither do the Springboks belong to SARU… they belong to SOUTH AFRICA.
The fact that SARU is a bunch of spineless, scum-sucking idiots does not change my suport for Heyneke Meyer and his crew and the brave players playing for my Country, chosen from my Country’s top sides.
SARU is merely the controlling body of Rugby in SA, which by the way includes your Lions side (which also falls under SARU structures and control). In that case, if your beef with SARU is serious enough, like in the case of the Springboks, you should also not be supporting the Lions anymore.
Am I wrong?
Nou gooi jy sommer die baba saam met die badwater uit…
March 6th, 2013 at 13:21 SAST
scrumdown @ 34
sorry i dont know for sure. just read that the lions and sarugby were looking into a competition to accomodate the lions, so presumed they worked together on it!!
March 6th, 2013 at 13:25 SAST
39 @ Ashley:
I also don’t know for sure. I just don’t believe that they did.
March 6th, 2013 at 13:33 SAST
ok guys, i’m just out for a bit. will catch up later!! o and btw, i know this is quite an emotional topic for a lot of you guys, so hats off (especially to the lions supporters) for the way this topic can be discussed without fear for personal attacks. thanks for that guys!!
March 6th, 2013 at 13:35 SAST
38 @ grootblousmile:
Why 1979?
Your arguement is flawed re SARU and the Lions.
If I like the boss I work for, does it mean I have to like the Company as well?
SARU are the CUSTODIAN of Rugby in SA, and as such IMO control EVERY aspect of the National side, from selection policy to appointment of coaches and management and every aspect in between.
It would be interesting to see what mention of the Naional side(s) is made in the SARU constitution.
And yes, my disdain for them is deep. I don’t often hold a grudge, but when I do it’s for a verrrry long time.
March 6th, 2013 at 13:53 SAST
42 @ Scrumdown:
The Lions and Springboks are almost exactly on par in your analogy with the Boss and the Company.
The Springboks function as a UNIT within the SARU structures… but they have almost complete autonomy… almost divorced from SARU’s direct control. The Coach and his staff decide on the Team, the coaching ect, ect…
SARU decides about the Competitions the Springboks will play in (like they do for the SA Franchises too) and have the power to appoint and fire the coach and staff.
But does that limited interference and right of SARU give you enough ammo to alianate yourself from the Springboks?
Does liking your Boss (Springboks) mean you like your Company (SARU)?
I do not dislike the Company (SARU) itself, I dislike the Directors or Decision-makers of the Company (“Slappap” Hoskins, “Ek kannie onderhandel nie” Marinos, “Blas Vroetelvraat” Johan Prinsloo, “Kuifkop Finansievingers” Jurie Roux & Co), I dislike the HR Department staff of the Company (President’s Council)…
I dislike those farktup Office Bearers who are supposed to represent our National Interests, those soft cocks who do not have a brass ball between the lot of them!
…. but I like the Bokke!
March 6th, 2013 at 13:59 SAST
@ Ashley:
Ashley, Ruben Moggee the former acting CEO did the majority of the work in arranging the Lions Challenge. From what I read between the lines is that the Lions had to do the donkey work, get agreements from all the participating teams and then SARU would rubberstamp the competition. And maybe assist with approval from the IRB and the unions to which the teams belong. So basically what I am saying is that the Lions did about 99% of the work.
34 @ Scrumdown:
I believe the Lions will be very competitive come the promo matches, and may even win both. I also believe that the administration at the Lions has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. Still far from perfect, and some major stuff ups did happen last year.
March 6th, 2013 at 14:32 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Surely the likes of those you mention have the same fiduciary responsibilities as directors of ANY Company?
Anyway, it’s all a mute discussion. SARU won’t change it’s way of operating in the next 10 years. There is no collective will to do so from within the organisation.
44 @ Lion4ever:
While I agree that things MAY have improved since the “bad” old days of Reyneke and Ferreira, there are still MANY aspects that need fixing, and quite frankly, I can’t see it happenening soon.
The GLRU have told my old club that they must now compete in the Valke structures as they can no longer accomodate them, and the President’s League (3rd division) and Ngonyama league for development clubs has been totally dropped from the fixture lists according to an e-mail I recieved this week. I can only assume it’s because of money.
The forced movement of myold club to the Valke could potentially have far reaching effects for school and club Rugby on the East Rand.
The Provincial Government basically says that any school or sports club in Ekhuruleni MUST compete under Gauteng East, whereas Rugby, specifically the GLRU say that Rugby Clubs and former “white” and “coloured” schools in places such as Alberton and Germiston may play in the Lions area, but that “black” schools must play in the Valke area.
It has been a MASSIVE bone of contention, but the Lions have now told a former “coloured” club to take a hike as they can’t be accomodated. Link this to the fact that Edenvale have been playing in the Valke leagues for 2 season now because of an issue that would need 3 weeks to go into, and suddenly you have the potential for the Valke to (once again) go to the provisional government and say please enforce the letter of the law, and in so doing cause havoc in Rugby in the JHB area.
When I last discussed this issue with Manie Reyneke in 2010, he was dismissive of the Valke and basically said that they should become just a Sub-Union of the GLRU!
Obviously the Valke want the clubs and the schools to improve their playing numbers, but the Lions want to basically “cherry pick” what resourses they want at their disposal.
Now, if Alberton (whom I believe may move next season (2014)) and Germiston (who don’t want to move) are forced to go over to the Valke, it won’t be a great loss to the Lions anyway, (I can’t remember when they last had more than 1 club player playing for the Lions, as they pull the vast majority of their junior sides from UJ), but the problem lies in the schools.
Suddenly one of their senior feeder schools, Marais Viljoen, and another of their bigger schools, Hoerskool Alberton would be lost to them, and that would be a potential disaster.
Anyway, all conjecture. Maybe the Lions will come right in time for us to see Haley’s Comet over Ellis Park during a Super Rugby play off match.