Blow for Kings as Botes not returning
Scrumhalf, who has played for Italy, decides to focus on farming
THERE was an early season blow for the Kings when it was announced that former Italian test scrumhalf Tobie Botes would not be returning to play for Eastern Province in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
The versatile Botes, who can also play at flyhalf, did not play in the Vodacom Cup earlier this season because he wanted to focus on duties at his family’s farm in the Western Cape.
The initial plan was for the 31-year-old Botes to farm for the first half of this year before returning to action for the Kings for the Currie Cup.
“Because of new circumstances on the family farm, Tobie will not be returning for the Currie Cup unless there is a change of plan later on,” Kings chief executive Charl Crous said.
Botes scored a try in EP’s only win of the Currie Cup Premier Division last season when they narrowly beat the Pumas 26-25 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Last month, EP Kings boss Cheeky Watson said an announcement was imminent regarding the signing of new coaching and playing staff.
EP’s president also promised the signings would not be somebody who was “half dead and half baked” and he promised the Kings would keep Eastern Province’s flag flying high.
The Kings kick off their Currie Cup campaign with a tough opener against last year’s beaten finalists, the Lions, on August 8. Although he was born in South Africa, Botes played rugby for Italy. In January 2012, he was called up to the Italian squad as cover for the 2012 Six Nations Championship.
Botes was named among the replacements for Italy’s opening game against France in 2012 and made his debut, coming on as a replacement just before the hour mark.
He made a total of five appearances during the 2012 Six Nations Championship, scoring eight points and also played in three matches against touring sides Tonga, New Zealand and Australia in November 2012.
He also played in three 2013 end-ofyear rugby union internationals against Australia, Fiji and Argentina.
He joined the Kings last year and played in eight of the Kings’ 10 Currie Cup matches. This year the Kings have used Jaco Grobler, Kevin Luiters, Dylon Frylinck and Enrico Acker in a bid to find the best combinations.
The Kings friendlies are: July 11: versus Sharks (no time decided yet), Port Elizabeth. July 17: versus Bulls (7pm), PE. July 25: versus Western Province (7pm), PE.
Meanwhile, Kings contracted players Shakes Soyizwapi and Davron Cameron are attending a Springbok Sevens Academy pre-departure camp which is being held in Stellenbosch this week.
The camp is a prelude to selecting the Springbok Sevens Academy touring team, which will leave for Europe on June 8 and play a series of matches in Rome and Geneva until June 22.
Soyizwapi has been a regular at fullback for the EP Kings in recent seasons, while backline player Cameron, who is with the Saru Kings Academy, was signed up by the EP Kings after matriculating from Kingswood in Grahamstown in 2014.
The Academy squad is likely to be a mixture of regular Blitz Bok players and fringe sevens contenders.