Sykes back to captain side against the Cell C Sharks

May 19 • General News, Super Rugby • 1327 Views • Comments Off on Sykes back to captain side against the Cell C Sharks

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Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has announced that Steven Sykes will return to captain the team to take on the Cell C Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

Davids also confirmed that Schalk Ferreira will also return having missed two games due to injury.

“Unfortunately Edgar Marutlulle is sick with flu and the doctor has recommended that he sits this game out. Martin Ferreira takes his place and Martin Bezuidenhout comes up on the bench,” said Davids.

Davids also confirmed that JC Astle would move onto the bench with Schalk Oelofse starting alongside Sykes.

“JC has played nearly 80 minutes every game, so this is a chance just to manage him a bit better,” he said.

Davids said the decision to bring in Stefan Willemse, and Jacques Engelbrecht at flank was to match the physicality of the Sharks pack.

At the back, Davids has brought JP du Plessis on at outside centre to fill in for Stefan Watermeyer, who is out with a tendon injury to his foot.

Cornell Hess comes up onto the bench to fill the spot opened up by Oelofse starting.

Davids said the loss of Sykes, Velleman and Cloete was a big blow to the team but also meant opportunities for the other players.

Davids also pointed out the rotation of Jacobie Adriaanse and Tom Botha.

Davids said he was happy to have both Sykes and Schalk Ferreira, two of the most experienced players, back ahead of the game against the Sharks, but was confident that the team would provide bring their all to the game.

“I think all the players have the ability to make an impact. for example, I think that, while we have lost both CJ Velleman and Chris Cloete, Stefan Willemse and Aidon Davis have both shown that they can make an impact,” he said.

Davids said that they team would be focusing on getting the basics and making the right decisions throughout the game.

The team
15. Jurgen Visser
14. Lukhanyo Am
13. JP du Plessis
12. Shane Gates (VC)
11. Luzuko Vulindlu
10. Louis Fouche
09. Ntando Kebe
08. Aidon Davis
07. Thembelani Bholi
06. Stefan Willemse
05. Schalk Oelofse
04. Steven Sykes (C)
03. Jacobie Adriaanse
02. Martin Ferreira
01. Schalk Ferreira

Reserves
16. Martin Bezuidenhout
17. Justin Ackerman
18. Tom Botha
19. JC Astle
20. Jacques Engelbrecht
21. Kevin Luiters
22. Elgar Watts
23. Leighton Eksteen

Southern Kings