There were a few notable exclusions when Southern Kings Head Coach Deon Davids announced his squad for their upcoming GUINNESPRO 14 championship tour of Europe. The absence of first-choice flyhalf and playmaker Kurt Coleman was not unexpected since he had recently been diagnosed with a quadriceps injury that is likely to keep him out of the game for at least 4 weeks.
Whilst acknowledging that the caliber of the players lost were a blow to the Kings, Coach Deon Davids stressed this now presented a fabulous opportunity for the back-up players to step up and show what they are capable of. This should present a particularly interesting tussle at flyhalf where Pieter Steyn De Wet and Oliver Zono are both vying for the number 10 jersey.
The touring squad of 26 also sees the return to the fold of prop Entienne Swanepoel following a concussion-enforced absence and lock Jurie Van Vuuren who has recovered from a minor leg infection.
New names in the touring party include hooker Tango Balekile, lock Lubabalo Mtyanda and scrumhalf Rowan Gouws, plus there is a recall for veteran wing Alshaun Bock.
The first match against Newport Gwent Dragons takes place at the Rodney Parade at 20h35 SA time on Saturday, 30 September and will be followed by a trip to Italy the following weekend to take on Benetton Treviso.
The Southern Kings remain winless in the GuinessPro14 after they lost 43 - 17 to Italian outfit Zebre at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night.
The full touring squad is as follows:
1 Schalk Ferreira
Martin Dreyer
2 Michael Willemse
Stefan Coetzee
Tango Balekile
3 Rossouw de Klerk
Entienne Swanepoel
4 Stefan Greeff
Lubabalo Mtyanda
5 Dries van Schalkwyk
Bobby de Wee
6 Khaya Mayola
7 Jurie van Vuuren
8 Andisa Ntsila
9 Rudy van Rooyen
Godlen Masimla
Rowan Gouws
10 Piet Steyn de Wet
Oliver Zono
11 Sbu Sithole
Alshuan Bock
12 Luzuku Vulindlu
13 Berton Klaasen
Jacques Nel
14 Yaw Penxe
15 Masixole Banda
