Injured stars back for Kings:
Young guns Velleman, Jaer ready for selection
THERE was good news for Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids ahead of his team’s Super Rugby clash against defending champions the Highlanders on Saturday.
After a month-long break because of the international window, two of his most promising young guns have recovered from injury and look set to take their place in the team to play at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Kings officials said tigerish loose forward CJ Velleman and explosive wing Malcolm Jaer had both recovered from injury and would be available for selection.
Jaer has been out of action with a broken hand since the end of April and Velleman since May with a broken thumb.
Davids put his team through a strenuous training session which also included the EP Kings Currie Cup squad, who are playing against Griquas on Saturday.
EP Kings coach Robbi Kempson, a former Springbok prop, kept a watchful eye over his team at training and will demand a big effort from his men as they bid to climb up the league table.
There was some concern that lock J C Astle might have picked up an injury during training when he left the field after taking a knock.
However, after a period on the sidelines Astle rejoined the training session and looked none the worse for wear.
It is still not certain whether Jurgen Visser, injured in the Kings’ last game against the Jaguares. will be ready to take his place at fullback.
Ntando Kebe looks set to start at scrumhalf, with James Hall expected to take a one-week break after returning to South Africa from England where he represented the Junior Springboks.
“When I look at our season so far, we were quite competitive until the Jaguares game in Argentina,” Davids said ahead of the break.
“From there on, we had a downward spiral and the best opportunity for us was to turn it around against the Jaguares in Port Elizabeth, which we did.
“We [now] have three difficult games ahead of us.
“First, we have the Highlanders at home and then the Lions and Stormers away. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Davids feels his team has grown as a unit over the past 12 months.
“It has been tough. We started out in our first game not knowing how our squad was going to look, but we grew as coaching staff.
“We said from the start we would take it one game at a time and set small goals.
“At the start, the scoreboard was not so important for us, although deep down inside we knew that if we pitch in on the day we can be competitive.
“It was it a tough but enjoyable and we learned a lot.
“The experience the players and coaching staff gained is valuable, and we can all look forward to building on this,” Davids said.
After a two-year break from Super Rugby, the Kings have found the going tough and have managed only two wins in 12 outings.
Those wins were both at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, against the Japan’s Sunwolves and Argentina’s Jaguares.
Weekend fixtures:
Friday: Chiefs v Crusaders, Brumbies v Reds. Saturday: Sunwolves v Waratahs, Hurricanes v Blues, Rebels v Stormers, Cheetahs v Force, Lions v Sharks, Kings v Highlanders, Jaguares v Bulls.