Junior Springbok captain Jeremy Ward is set for a Super Rugby debut if he comes off the Southern Kings’ bench against the Lions at Ellis Park on Friday.
Ward led the SA Under-20 side to fourth place at the recent World Championships in Manchester and has been thrust into a higher level as the Kings search for a way to be competitive against South Africa’s pacesetters.
The impressive centre enjoyed a good tournament although it was marred by suspension following a dangerous tackle on England fullback Max Malins in the semi-final.
Jeremy Ward during the Southern Kings training session at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on July 05, 2016 in Port Elizabeth
Ward was yellow carded at the time‚ but was later cited and suspended for two weeks for the collision.
As a result‚ he missed the bronze medal match against Argentina‚ which Los Pumitas won. SA Under-20 teammate James Hall will start at scrumhalf this weekend‚ taking over from Ntando Kebe in a rotational switch.
With injuries cutting a swathe through the Kings’ ranks‚ coach Deon Davids has included two more uncapped players in the squad while hooker Edgar Marutlulle will take over the captaincy from Steven Sykes‚ who misses the match for unexplained ‘personal reasons.’
SWD Eagles flank Andisa Ntsila‚ who joined the franchise on loan this week‚ has immediately been handed a start following injury to key man CJ Velleman.
On the bench EP Currie Cup lock Sintu Manjezi is set for a debut while Davids has also rotated his front row. Four changes to the pack see Sti Sithole rotating with Schalk Ferreira at loosehead prop‚ while Jacobie Adriaanse returns at tighthead after missing out last week’s game against the Highlanders due to a late calf strain.
Schalk Oelosfe comes in to replace Sykes. Lions coach Johan Ackermann has selected a full strength team for the clash‚ knowing that a five-point haul would ensure that his team top the overall South African Conference.
Southern Kings: 15 Malcolm Jaer‚ 14 Lukhanyo Am‚ 13 Stefan Watermeyer‚ 12 Shane Gates‚ 11 Wandile Mjekevu‚ 10 Louis Fouche‚ 9 James Hall‚ 8 Aidon Davis‚ 7 Stefan Willemse‚ 6 Andisa Ntsila‚ 5 JC Astle‚ 4 Schalk Oelofse‚ 3 Jacobie Adriaanse‚ 2 Edgar Marutlulle (captain)‚ 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout‚ 17 Schalk Ferreira‚ 18 Tom Botha‚ 19 Sintu Manjezi‚ 20 Jacques Engelbrecht‚ 21 Ntando Kebe‚ 22 Dewald Human‚ 23 Jeremy Ward.
- TMG Digital
