Kings coach weighs options for leading man

VETERAN lock Steven Sykes and hooker Edgar Marutlulle could be the early frontrunners to lead the Southern Kings back into Super Rugby next year.

In a lineup which will include many hired guns, the selection of either Sykes, 31, or Marutlulle, 28, as captain will give the team added local flavour.

The decision not to award Luke Watson a contract has left new head coach Deon Davids with the headache of finding a new captain ahead of the opening game against the Sharks on February 27.

Two other regular Kings captains Tim Whitehead and Ronnie Cooke are no longer in the mix which also complicates matters.

The full Kings squad has yet to be announced and further candidates for the leadership role could still emerge.

It may have been more than just coincidence that the Kings chose Marutlulle among two players to model their new Super Rugby jersey last week.

Marutlulle did captain the Kings last season and his leadership qualities have always been respected by senior management.

The fiery Sykes has also led the Kings and like Marutlulle is the sort of player who leads by example in the engine-room.

Both players have commendable records in top rugby and both would probably welcome the chance to lead the team in their Super Rugby comeback season.

Sykes, who played his 100th Currie Cup Premier Division game this year, is also a Super Rugby veteran and his vast experience could persuade Davids that he is the man for the job.

While

still

at

school,

Sykes

represented Eastern Province at various youth tournaments. He played for them at primary school level at the 1997 U13 Craven Week competition and progressed through the youth sides to the U18 Craven Week team in 2002.

During the 2012 season, it was announced that Sykes would join the Kings for their first season of Super Rugby in 2013, returning to the region he originally came from on a two-year deal.

Sykes made his debut for the Kings in their historic first-ever Super Rugby match, helping them to a 22-10 victory against the Force in Port Elizabeth.

Marutlulle went to Potchefstroom High School and represented the Leopards at youth level. He was included in their U18 Craven Week sides in both 2004 and 2005. In 2004, the hooker was also included in a South African Schools team that played against their South African Academy counterparts.

The Golden Lions included Marutlulle in their squad for the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division and he made his first team debut against the Western Province in Cape Town.

He played 13 matches during the season.