‘Rejuvenated’ Kings head to Murrayfield

AFTER a three-week break following their Round 10 encounter with the Italian side, Benetton Treviso, the Southern Kings team regrouped on December 27 to begin their preparations for their Round 13 fixture against Edinburgh at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday evening.

“We are happy to be back in action after a good end-year break which came at a good time for the team to recuperate and return rejuvenated” coach Deon Davids, pictured, said.

Davids selected a 25-man touring squad which includes hooker Michael Willemse, scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius – who is set to make his debut for the Kings – hooker Alandre van Rooyen and Berton Klaasen.

“We are really pleased to have the experienced Sarel Pretorius, who was unfortunate to sustain a foot injury ahead of the start of the season, and Mikey Willemse, whom we lost quite early on in the season to a shoulder injury. We also have Berton back after he missed our last match due to a leg injury, while Alandre van Rooyen has recovered from a concussion.”

The Kings have also been bolstered with the inclusion of former Springbok prop, Robbi Kempson, as the side’s forwards consultant until the end of the 2018/19 PRO14 season. Kempson will also be travelling with the team as they hope to continue improving in the set pieces for the remainder of the season. The Southern Kings touring squad Forwards: Nicolaas ‘NJ’ Oosthuizen, Alulutho Tshakweni, Pieter Scholtz, Luvuyo Pupuma, Tango Balekile, Alandre van Rooyen, Michael Willemse, Lubabalo ‘Giant’ Mtyanda, Stephan Greeff, JohnCharles ‘JC’ Astle, Andries ‘Dries’ van Schalkwyk, Cyril-John ‘CJ’ Velleman, Martinus ‘Tienie’ Burger, Lerm Ruaan

Backs: Stefan Ungerer, Rudi van Rooyen, Sarel Pretorius, Martin du Toit, Ntabeni Dukisa, Tertius Kruger, Harlon Klaasen, Berton Klaasen, Yaw Penxe, Michael Makase, Masixole Banda.