Kings get much-needed depth

NEWS: The Southern Kings welcomed the arrival of scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and prop Nicolaas Oosthuizen on Monday.

The duo will bolster the squad in the build-up to the side's crucial Pro14, Round Eight match against defending champions, Leinster.

The Southern Kings are preparing to take on a strong Leinster side at the Nelson Mandela University's Madibaz Stadium on Sunday, November 4.

Following the Port Elizabeth-based side's spirited performance in Friday's 34-41 defeat to last season's finalists, Scarlets, the arrival of the duo is set to add value to the Southern Kings team that is showing immense signs of growth in the Pro14.

"We are happy to have Stefan Ungerer and Nic Oosthuizen joining the team this week," Kings coach Deon Davids said.

"Given the length of the Pro14 season and how tough the competition is, it is important that we have depth in our squad.

"We are always looking at boosting critical positions, and the addition of these two players will help us in terms of squad depth and strengthening certain positions."

The 24-year-old Ungerer is no stranger to the Southern Kings structures.

He rejoins the team from Currie Cup side, the Pumas, after having previously been a key figure in the Southern Kings side that played in their final Vodacom Super Rugby season in 2017.

The scrumhalf was one of the standout players in this year's Currie Cup campaign, securing a few man-of-the-match performances for the Pumas. He has signed with the Southern Kings until the end of the 2019/20 season.

"I'm happy to be back at the Southern Kings. I'm looking forward to once again make a contribution to the side, now in a different competition. I'm excited to be part of an international competition like the Pro14," Ungerer said.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Pumas setup in the past year. I have grown as a player and have learnt a lot of valuable lessons in my time there which have helped me grow as a player."

Oosthuizen will be an added boost for the Southern Kings front row with his versatility which sees him able to play at both loosehead and tighthead prop. He previously played for the Nelson Mandela University Madibaz in the Varsity Cup in 2016 and was part of the South Africa under-20 team that same year where he made three appearances for the side.

The 21-year-old George-born player will be in Port Elizabeth on a short-term loan agreement from Currie Cup side, the Griquas. The former Marlow Landbou scholar will offer his services for the Southern Kings until the end of February.

The Southern Kings will be hard at work this week in preparation for their clash with Leinster.