De Villiers' captain 'ticks most of the boxes'
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Eastern Province Elephants coach Peter de Villiers said his chosen captain ‘ticks most of the boxes.’
De Villiers on Wednesday named former Sharks flyhalf Innocent Radebe as captain to lead the Elephants in the Preparation game against the Bulls at Loftus on Sunday.
Sunday’s outing will be the first time the former Springbok coach, De Villiers, takes charge of the Eastern Cape outfit.
Radebe, who fell out of favour at the Sharks after a knee injury, moved to Port Elizabeth in a bid to put his career back on track.
The 26-year-old utility back – who can play flyhalf, centre or fullback – made 30-odd appearance for the Sharks between 2015 and 2017, when injury brought an abrupt end to his stay in Durban.
In 2018 had two outings with the Lions in Johannesburg, before also falling out of favour at Ellis Park.
He continued to struggle with leg injuries and eventually moved to Port Elizabeth last year.
De Villiers said the decision to name Radebe was based on the fact that he is a man the players “want to follow”.
“This guy ticks most of the boxes and I am very excited to see him take charge,” the coach added.
“Inny is a natural leader and was an obvious choice for me.”
He added that burly prop Luphumlo Mguca will be Radebe’s second-in-command.
De Villiers said the players “respect” the prop.
* (Continue below tweets)
Congratulations to newly announced @ep_elephants Captain Innocent ‘Inny’ Radebe 👏🏽👏🏽 This announcement is made ahead of Blue Bulls clash on Sunday 28th February in New Preparation Cup. Sterkte coach @CoachPdV and team. #MightyElephants🐘🏉 #Oongangendlovu pic.twitter.com/DTEae0yUOn
— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) February 24, 2021
@CoachPdV continued to say that his very excited about this upcoming franchise cup. A big challenge for @ep_elephants that they prepared to work hard towards pic.twitter.com/McmeEv8sZA
— EP Elephants (@ep_elephants) January 12, 2021
The team to face the Bulls features a handful of players with Pro14 experience – the most notable loose forward Cyril-John Velleman.
Velleman joined Griquas on a short-term contract last year to play in the Unlocked and Currie Cup competitions.
He took up the offer to move to Kimberley after 50-odd people – staff and players – were left without a job when the Southern Kings were liquidated.
He is back in PE and will be key to the chances of the team being competitive.
De Villiers said it is a “great honour” for him to be coaching at first-class level again – after being in the wilderness for a few years.
Eastern Province Elephants: 15 Riaan Arendse, 14 Josiah Twum-Boafo, 13 Christopher Hollis, 12 Sherwin Slater, 11 Qeutyne Oerson, 10 Innocent Radebe (captain), 9 Luvo Claasen, 8 Luigy van Jaarsveld, 7 Anele Lungisa, 6 Cyril-John Velleman, 5 Mncedisi Diwengu, 4 Athenkosi Manenze, 3 Luphumlo Mguca, 2 Robin Stevens, 1 Lyle Lombard.
Replacements: 16 Thembiso Befile, 17 Siya Nzuzo, 18 Emile Klassen, 19 Ronald Scheckle, 20 Arnold Kleyn, 21 Diego Williams, 22 Josh Allderman, 23 Keanu Vers.
Date: Sunday, February 28
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby, Ashleigh Murray
TMO: Jaco Peyper
