Bok wing starts for Kings
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made four changes to the team for their Pro14 second round fixture against the Dragons in Wales.
The changes include a first starting berth for the experienced Springbok Bjorn Basson, who will run on in the No.11 jersey.
Other changes will see one of the Southern Kings’ longest-serving players, Andisa Ntsila, making a return to the starting XV after he came off the bench last weekend against Zebre following an unfortunate injury that kept him out of action in the latter part of last season.
In a rotational change, Stephan de Wit replaces Brandon Brown at flank.
A positional switch in the backline will see Yaw Penxe, who started on the left wing last week, moving to fullback to replace Michael Botha.
Botha, who had an impressive debut for the Southern Kings last weekend, has been ruled out of action with a groin injury.
“Our main aim with our selections this week was to ensure that we keep some continuity in the team, and also to broaden experience within the squad,” Davids said about the changes.
“We are quite happy to see Bjorn Basson, our experienced winger, making his debut for the Southern Kings.”
Davids added: “Andisa Ntsila was integrated into the team last week after being out for some time with injury. We are rotating him with Ruaan Lerm at No.8.
“Unfortunately, our promising youngster and man-of-the-match from last week, Michael Botha, did not recover efficiently from a groin injury and will be replaced by Yaw Penxe, who moves to No.15, with Ulrich Beyers giving additional support from the bench.”
While the Southern Kings defeated the Dragons 45-13 in their previous encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last season, the Port Elizabeth-based side is wary of the improved Welsh side, particularly in their own backyard.
“We expect a much improved Dragons side this weekend in front of their home crowd. I think we can expect a very physical battle up front. They have some evasive and quick outside backs, with their experienced No10 guiding them around the field,” said Davids.
“For us, it will be very important to quickly put last week’s performance out of our heads, and to build on the good things from last week. Obviously, we will have to ensure that we get out of our back 50 [metres] quickly and sufficiently as possible, and also when we enter the opposition 22-metre [area] to be precise and accurate in our execution in order to turn opportunities into points.”
Teams:
Dragons: TBC
Southern Kings: 15 Yaw Penxe, 14 Michael Makase, 13 Harlon Klassen, 12 Berton Klassen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Masixole Banda, 9 Rudi van Rooyen, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Martinus Burger, 6 Stephan de Wit, 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Luvuyo Pupuma, 2 Michael Willemse (captain), 1 Justin Forwood.
Replacements: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Lupumlo Mguca, 19 JC Astle, 20 Ruaan Lerm, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Martin du Toit, Ulrich Beyers.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 16.00 SA time)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)
