Kings' Velleman set for Pro14 debut
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings loose forward, CJ Velleman is set to make his long-awaited return to the field and Pro14 debut when the Port Elizabeth-based side takes on Glasgow Warriors in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Following two years on the sidelines due to two serious knee injuries, the talented 23-year-old loose forward will make his comeback from the bench after last appearing for the Southern Kings in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition.
Coincidentally, Velleman will be making his return to play on the ground where he played for his alma-mater, Nelson Mandela University, as a junior.
“It has been a long, hard past two years,” Velleman said.
“There are no words to describe the feeling of being back on the field again. I’m excited, and cannot wait to get back on the turf again.”
Head coach Deon Davids has made four personnel changes to his starting XV for the Round Four encounter, with an additional two positional switches.
The Southern Kings will have a new halfback pairing as Rudi van Rooyen starts at scrumhalf and Godlen Masimla starts on the bench. Flyhalf Martin du Toit will make his first start of the season in the No.10 jersey, with Masixole Banda shifting to fullback and Michael Botha occupying the bench to provide backline cover.
The side will also have a new loose trio as Andisa Ntsila shifts from No.8 to blindside flank. Ruaan Lerm will start at No.8 and Henry “Bakkies” Brown at openside flank.
“Our plan has always been to give our players a chance to play, hence our rotation of the squad,” Davids said.
“It is great to see guys like CJ Velleman returning to the side after working hard to get back to full fitness.
“We have worked hard this week on all the areas where we felt we fell short over the past few weeks. We are looking forward to playing at a new venue here at the Nelson Mandela University, but we know we have a big task ahead against a strong Glasgow Warriors side that remains unbeaten in the Championship.”
Teams:
Southern Kings: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Harlon Klassen, 12 Berton Klassen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Rudi van Rooyen, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Andisa Ntsila, 6 Henry Brown, 5 JC Astle, 4 Bobby de Wee, 3 Luvuyo Pupuma, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Justin Forwood, 18 Martin Dreyer, 19 Stephan Greeff, 20 CJ Velleman, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa, 23 Michael Botha.
Glasgow: 15 Ruaridh Jackson, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Nick Grigg, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Pete Horne, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Ryan Wilson (captain), 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Greg Peterson, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Kevin Bryce, 19 Rob Harley, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Ali Price, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Robbie Nairn.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Venue: Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 UK & Ireland time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Paul Mente (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
