The Southern Kings have confirmed a number of new signings following a week of intensive training with the SA Rugby Mobi Unit.
Chief Operating Officer, Charl Crous, confirmed that Pumas flanker, Chris Cloete, (24) and Sharks Lock John-Charles (JC) Astle (25) had been secured on loan for the season.
Following initial trials, Crous also confirmed the Southern Kings have also retained the talent of SWD utility back Leighton Eksteen (21) who has played at Scrumhalf, Flyhalf and Fullback, as well as SWD’s Luzuko Vulindlu (28) who has played at Centre and Wing. Both have been secured on loan from SWD for the season.
Sharks Centre Lukhanyo Am (22) has also secured a position in the squad on loan.
Crous said Sharks hooker, Monde Hadebe (25) would be returning to the Sharks for rehab following a slight back sprain that will see him out of action for between 4 to 5 weeks.
Crous also confirmed hooker Martin Ferreira (26) and lock, Tazz Fuzani (25) had been secured on contract for the Southern Kings season for 2016.
“We are thankful for the support that we have received from the respective unions in making their players available to us. We are still in the process of securing additional players and will be making a few more announcements in the coming weeks,” he said.
Current squad to date:
- Aidon Davis, 21, No 8
- Chris Cloete, 24, Flank
- Cornell Hess, 26, Lock
- Cyril-John Velleman, 20, Flank
- Edgar Marutlulle, 27, Hooker
- Elgar Watts, 30, Flyhalf
- Jacobie Adriaanse, 30, Tighthead Prop
- Jacques (Vleis) Engelbrecht,30, No 8
- James Hall, 19, Scrumhalf
- John-Charles (JC) Astle, 25, Lock
- JP du Plessis, 24, Centre
- Kevin Luiters, 23, Scrumhalf
- Leighton Eksteen,21, Scrumhalf, Flyhalf, Fullback
- Louis Fouche, 25, Flyhalf
- Lukhanyo Am, 22, Centre
- Luzuko Vulindlu, 28, Centre / Wing
- Malcolm Jaer, 20, Fullback
- Martin Ferreira, 26, Hooker
- Schalk Ferreira, 31, Prop
- Schalk Oelofse, 27, Lock
- Shane Gates, 23, Flyhalf
- Sipato Junior Pokomela, 19, No 8
- Siyanda Grey ,26, Wing / Centre
- Stefan Watermeyer, 27, Centre
- Stefan Willemse, 23, Flank
- Steven Sykes, 31, Lock
- Tazz Fuzani, 25, Lock
- Thembelani Bholi, 25, Flank
- Tom Botha, 25, Prop
- Tyler Paul, 20, Lock / Flank
eprugby
So by my calculation – 3 props, 2 hookers 4.5 flankers, 3 number 8s, 2.5 scrumhalves, 3 flyhalves, 4 centres, 1 wing, and 1.5 fullbacks. All I can say is that its more than the Sunwolves have announced!!!
Woops! Forgot 4.5 locks which became 5.5 overnight with Visser added as another fullback and a third hooker. Still only 3 props so one of the hookers must be propping when they have opposed practice!! Great preparation!!
@ ozziekiwi:
Hi ozziekiwi think I spotted 5.5 locks in the squad. One thing is sure with only 3 props listed they will have to recruit some more soon. Probably need 6 props in these squads. Wonder if they will or have been talking to Allan Dell to try get him on an early release from Edinburgh. Feel he hss not done as well as I thought he would when I first saw him play for them. Granted he was out for a while with nasty injury but don’t think he has been given enough chances by Alan Solomons, was in the initial Scotland World Cup training squad but didn’t make the cut and has now been leapfrogged by team mate Sutherland in 6 Nations squad. Could be totally off the mark but think he may be a bit disillusioned at the moment so may be open to an offer to come home. Think he is from Eastern Cape a former pupil of Queens?
@ ozziekiwi:
By the way am curious about your name are you a Kiwi living in Straya or is it the other way round?
@ ozziekiwi:
#2 weird you posted just a few minutes before mine below which took me a while to do out walking and typing on mobile so didn’t see your post till after had posted mine
Yes Kiwi living in Oz for 30 years but still rank home team Crusaders as my number 1 and ABs of course. Looking forward to preseason games to judge form for my fantasy teams. I would say Kings players will be cheap but don’t know if there will be much value there.
@ ozziekiwi:
You have been over there for quite a while. At it doesn’t take too long to fly between the two countries. Was down under last year and really enjoyed our time in both Oz and NZ. Went to see the Crusaders old stadium while in Christchurch there is a painting of Dan Carter on one of the outside walls. The amount of damage over there was incredible.
All the best with your fantasy rugby would think a few Jaguares players may be worth taking a punt on but I don’t play that so not sure how it works.
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