The EP Kings have an opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the Absa Currie Cup First Division standings on Friday when they host the Valke in their last home game in Port Elizabeth before the start of the playoffs.
The Regent Boland Cavaliers, second on the log just one point behind the Kings, have a bye this weekend and will be keen to see how their closest competitors perform against the team from the East Rand.
- The EP Kings starting fifteen is: SP Marais (15), Joe Breytenbach (14), Jaco Beker (13), Mathew Tayler-Smith (12), Marcello Sampson (11), Louis Strydom (10, Vice Captain), Jacques Coetzee (9), Ronnie Uys (1), Hannes Franklin (2), Clint Newland (3), Boetie Britz (6), Wayne van Heerden (4), Ross Kennedy (6), Devin Oosthuizen (7) and Luke Watson (8, Captain).
- One the starting bench are: Bobby Dyer (16), Jaco Engels (17), Darron Nell (18), Mpho Mbiyozo (19), Danie Faasen (20), George Whitehead (21) and Tiger Mangweni (22).
This game gives the EP Kings a chance to motor ahead of Boland with a win AND a bonus point, giving the team an all important psychological advantage going into their much anticipated away clash against Boland on 23 September.
Results in the last three games between EP Kings and Falcons:
- 7 August 2010: EP Kings won 38-3 in Port Elizabeth
- 17 September 2010: EP Kings won 50-35 in Kempton Park
- 5 August 2011: EP Kings won 36-20 in Kempton Park
In the only other First Division match this weekend, the SWD Eagles host the Tasol Solar Griffons in George, also on Friday evening. The third-placed Eagles have a golden opportunity to put a bit of daylight between themselves and the chasing pack as the race for spots in the semi-finals heats up. But the Falcons are known for playing a physical game with a physical pack so EP could be tested.
Your Weekend’s Rugby Fixtures:
- Friday, 16 September: EP Kings vs Valke – kick off at 19:00 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. Referee: Joey Salmans
- Friday, 16 September: SWD Eagles vs Tasol Solar Griffons – kick off at 19:00 at Outeniqua Park, George. Referee: Sindile Mayende
- Friday, 16 September: Platinum Leopards vs MTN Golden Lions – kick off at 19:10 at Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom. Referee: Stuart Berry
- Saturday, 16 September: Springboks vs Fiji – kick off at 08:00 at Wellington Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Saturday, 17 September: Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs The Sharks – kick off at 15:00 at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee: Mark Lawrence
- Saturday, 17 September: Vodacom Blue Bulls vs DHL Western Province – kick off at 17:05 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Referee: Pro Legoete
