Kings change five for Connacht
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made five changes to his starting team that will take on Irish side, Connacht, in a Round Nine Pro14 clash at the Nelson Mandela University’s Madibaz Stadium on Sunday.
The team will see one change to the backline, with four new faces in the forwards pack to the team that narrowly lost 31-38 to defending champions, Leinster, three weeks ago in their last outing.
The experienced vice-captain, Berton Klaasen, returns to the starting XV as he once again pairs up with Harlon Klaasen for the centre combination, replacing Tertius Kruger who will be on the bench.
A new-look front row will see hooker Alandre van Rooyen being flanked by a new set of props in Lupumlo Mguca at loosehead and Nicolaas “NJ” Oosthuizen at tighthead. The prop duo replace the injured Schalk Ferreira (fractured cheek) and Justin Forwood, who underwent surgery on his ankle this week.
A new loose trio will also see Cyril-John Velleman earn another starting berth at openside flank, while Jurie van Vuuren will make his first appearance of the season on the blindside. Ruaan Lerm retains his spot at No.8.
The match will also see a Pro14 debut for former Junior Springbok prop, Alulutho Tshakweni, who is the most recent Southern Kings recruit, as he provides front row cover from the bench.
The side is pleased to have Luvuyo Pupuma, who missed the Leinster match due to a shoulder injury, back in the matchday 23 squad as he gets a spot on the bench this week.
Utility back Ntabeni Dukisa will also be a new addition to the bench as backline cover.
"We have made a few changes to our team this week which will see Berton Klaasen returning at centre in line with our continued rotation system," Davids said.
"Despite our injury problems in our front row, we are excited to give Lupumlo Mguca and NJ Oosthuizen their first starts of the season. The two did exceptionally well for us in the previous match against Leinster when they came onto the field.
"We expect a tough encounter with Connacht – a side that has done well this season to win a few matches which include the scalps of top sides like Scarlets and Ulster."
The team has indicated that they have set their sights on clinching a win this weekend in their penultimate match for the year.
"We are looking to target this match. We have had two weeks of rest and the guys are feeling good and fresh. This weekend is an important game for us, and hopefully we pull through with a win," captain John-Charles “JC” Astle said.
"We want to up our intensity every week and get our penalty count down, and get our discipline in order so that we can focus on our game and put the pressure on them."
Teams:
Southern Kings: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Michale Makase, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Berton Klaasen, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Jurie van Vuureb, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 JC Astle (captain), 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Alandre van Rooyen, 1 Lupumlo Mguca.
Replacements: 16 Tango Balekile, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Luvuyo Pupuma, 19 Andries van Schalkwyk, 20 Martinus Burger, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa, 23 Tertius Kruger.
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Cian Kelleher, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Tom Farrell, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Jarrad Butler (captain), 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Sean O’Brien, 5 James Cannon, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Conor Carey, 2 Shane Delahunt, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Peter McCabe, 18 Dominic Robertson McCoy, 19 Gavin Thornbury, 20 Paul Boyle, 21 James Mitchell, 22 David Horwitz, 23 Darragh Leader.
Date: Sunday, November 25
Venue: Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 15.00 (13. UK & Ireland time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Paul Mente (South Africa), Ruhan Meiring (South Africa)
TMO: Sean Veldsman (South Africa)