EP Kings coach Mzwandile Stick has greatly increased the experience in his team for a crucial Vodacom Cup showdown against the SWD Eagles at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (April 25) by including Springboks Luke Watson and CJ van der Linde in the match squad of 22.
Although the pair will come off the bench, Stick and skipper Tim Whitehead said their experience would be crucial in what is shaping up as a massive showdown between the neighbouring provinces.
After four games, the Eagles lead the Kings by three points and with just three matches left, time is running out for the sides to seal their spots in the sectional top four.
"We will probably give Luke about 20 to 30 minutes and CJ about 20 minutes, but it will all depend on how the game goes," Stick said. "Both of them cannot wait to get back and they have been working hard with the team. Luke is ready to go and CJ may not be quite there, but we will use him for a short while to counteract their strong forwards."
An indication of what the Eagles are planning comes in their squad, with a five-two forwards-backs split on the bench.
"We know they will try to attack us up front because they have big and physical forwards, but we are prepared for that," Stick said.
Lock Cameron Lindsay gets a recall for this game with Tazz Fuzani out for personal reasons, while Stefan Willemse replaces Thembelani Bholi, who has concussion, on the side of the scrum.
Among the backs, both flyhalf Tony Jantjies and centre Ronnie Cooke will start the game in place of Gary van Aswegen and Hansie Graaff respectively. Van Aswegen is out with a knee injury and Graaff, after six matches in a row, is being rested and will be used as a utility backline player.
The match kicks off at 3pm.
The EP Kings team is: Lizo Gqoboka, Edgar Marutlulle (vice-captain), Simon Kerrod, Cameron Lindsay, David Bulbring, Paul Schoeman, Stefan Willemse, Tim Agaba, Jaco Grobler, Tony Jantjies, Luther Obi, Tim Whitehead (captain), Ronnie Cooke, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Scott van Breda
Replacements: Mike van Vuuren, CJ van der Linde, Aidon Davis, Luke Watson, Dylon Frylinck, Hansie Graaff, Siyanda Grey
The SWD team is: Marius Fourie, Kurt Haupt, Ashley Buys, Schalk Oelofse, Mzwanele Zito, Johannes Stander, Davon Raubenheimer (captain), Zandre Jordaan, Dwayne Kelly, Gerhardus Smith, Alshaun Bock, Luzuko Vulindlu, Kirsten Heyns, Clinton Wagman, Elric van Vuuren
Replacements: Layle Delo, Raoul Larson, Alwyn Bester, Andisa Ntsila, Buran Parks, Leighton Eksteen, Martin du Toit
