BEEFING UP THE HOPES
Kings get boost with the return of the ‘Viking’
GIANT lock JC Astle, nicknamed “The Viking” because of his flowing blonde beard and plundering raids on opposition defences, is set to return to Port Elizabeth to play for the Southern Kings.
Sources close to the Kings camp say the 1.98 metre tall forward is about to make a comeback after a stint at French Pro D2 side Mont-deMarsan.
Astle, who played for the Kings in the 2016 Super Rugby season, will be a big gain and provide extra grunt in the pack when the new Pro14 season kicks off in September.
Another Mont-de-Marsan lock, Schalk Oelofse, is also believed to be returning to the Kings.
Oelofse played for Eastern Province in the 2005 and 2006 Craven Week tournaments before joining the Sharks, where he appeared at U21 level in 2008.
He then played for the NMMU Madibaz in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Varsity Cup competitions, which earned him a call-up to the EP Kings 2013 Vodacom Cup squad.
Later that year he was named in a South African Universities team that played against Namibia in 2013.
Oelofse made his first-class debut for the EP Kings against Free State XV, and then joined the SWD Eagles before the 2013 Currie Cup First Division season.
It is known that the Kings have a wish-list of players they want to sign for the new season, but it is a closely guarded secret.
Apart from new signings, it is believed that the Kings will retain the services of about 17 members of the current squad.
After managing to win only one of their 21 Pro14 matches this year, Kings coach Deon Davids wants to sign several quality players to boost his squad.
Davids said it was also vital that the Kings start building from the base up to ensure progression and continuity in the European competition.
In March the Kings announced that they had signed experienced scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius for the new season.
The 33-year-old Pretorius, who has been playing for Welsh club the Dragons since leaving the Cheetahs in 2015, will be a big gain for the Kings.
During his time in Wales, Pretorius impressed with his eye for a gap and speed around the park, making 70 appearances and scoring 14 tries.
“If we want to go forward in this competition and compete for trophies and playoffs, it is important that we build something up from the base,” said Davids.
“You have to build a sustainable system where players come through the ranks and you progress from one year to the next and ensure that you have good depth that you can fall back onto.”
Southern Kings chairman Andre Rademan said the battling team needed to sign several big-name players to boost their chances of success.
“We are busy with a turnaround strategy to become winners. We are talking to agents about who we can sign,” said Rademan.
“In my opinion we need at least four or five big names, because that can change the perception of the Kings.”