Will fiery hooker be new captain of the Kings?
26-year-old has filled this role before and his leadership qualities make him a favourite to lead the side
Fiery hooker Jacques du Toit could be handed the tough job of leading the Southern Kings into a new era when they resume play after a Covid-19 enforced layoff.
With SA Rugby in control after the sudden exit of previous owners, Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World (GRC), Du Toit could be handed the Kings captaincy.
Du Toit, 26, has filled this role before and his leadership qualities make him a favourite to take on the job after three former Kings captains were not contracted.
When the Kings named a 38man squad last week, there was no room for former skippers JC Astle, Schalk Ferreira and Stefan Ungerer.
Other players who could come into consideration are loose forwards Ruaan Lerm and Lusanda Badiyana who have worn the captain’s armband before.
Du Toit says he has enjoyed captaining the Kings whenever he has been given the opportunity.
“It’ always an honour and a privilege to captain your team,” he said.
“I like the responsibility that comes with being a captain because it keeps you focused and forces you to better yourself.”
Du Toit played 34 games for the Cheetahs before deciding to move to Port Elizabeth to further his career.
After high school, Du Toit joined the Free State Cheetahs Academy at the University of the Free State and was the firstchoice hooker for the Free State under-19 side.
In 2012, Du Toit was selected in the UFS Shimlas squad for the 2012 Varsity Cup, making a single appearance in their match against Wits.
He was then selected in the SA U20 squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France.
Du Toit returned to domestic action for the Free State U21s, playing in all 12 of their matches during the 2013 U21 Provincial Championship.
He also scored a try in their match against the Leopards U21s as the Free State finished in fifth spot on the log.
Later Du Toit was named in the Cheetahs’ squad for the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division and was on the bench for their opening match of the competition against the Blue Bulls.
If Du Toit does get the nod to lead the Kings he will have a baptism of fire in a mooted SA Derby league scheduled to kick off on August 28 if government approval is given.
The Kings have a youthful squad which battled to make their mark in the Guinness PRO14, winning only one of their 13 matches before the competition was suspended.
Apart from the omission of Astle, Ferreira and Ungerer there were no surprises, and the only newcomer is experienced Sharks scrumhalf Cameron Wright who will link up with the squad later this week.
If Covid-19 restrictions allow the Kings to play behind closed doors in a bio-bubble, their inexperienced squad will face test of endurance and willpower against SA’s best players.
The Kings squad:
Aston Fortuin, Elrigh Louw, Jacques du Toit, Sibusiso Sithole, Tharquinn Manuel, Andell Loubser, Aaron Brody, Alandre van Rooyen, Alulutho Tshakweni, Bobby de Wee, Bader Pretorius, Christopher Hollis, Cameron Dawson, Christian Ambadiang, CJ Velleman, Courtney Winnaar, Edmund Ludick, Erich Cronje, Gareth Heidtmann, Gavin Mills, Gideon van Niekerk, Ignatius Prinsloo, Josiah Twum-Boafo, Jerry Sexton, Joshua Allderman, JT Jackson, Lusanda Badiyana, Luyolo Dapula, Martinus Burger, Nsuku Baloyi, Pieter Scholtz, Ruaan Lerm, Tango Balekile, Thembelani Bholi, Tiaan Botes, Tiaan Swanepoel, Yaw Penxe, Cameron Wright.