Siviwe “Shakes” Soyizwapi has been called up to replace the injured Hadleigh Parkes, who broke his left arm in three places during the game against the Hurricanes on 30 March 2013 in Wellington.
The 20-year-old Soyizwapi flew out of Port Elizabeth on Sunday afternoon, and will join the team in Sydney on Monday afternoon, Australian time.
Soyizwapi played for the Border Bulldogs at the U18 Academy Week in 2010, earning a call-up to the South African U18 High Performance team, before joining the Kings Academy. He played for EP U21 in 2012, before making his professional debut in the 2012 Currie Cup Promotion/Relegation series against the Free State Cheetahs.
Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons, said Soyizwapi had been selected for his ability to fill in at both wing and fullback, over Siyanda Grey, who could fill in at wing and centre.
“We had a few concerns over Demetri Catrakilis, who took a bit of a knock and has a bruised knee, so we decided that we needed to go for someone who could cover both at wing and fullback, in case we needed to move George Whitehead up to flyhalf,” he said.
Solomons said Catrakilis had gone for scans on his knee today and had come back clear, but would only take part in training again on Thursday.
Solomons said Parkes had successfully undergone surgery on 30 March 2013, where a plate had been inserted in his arm to hold the bone together.
“Hadleigh will remain in New Zealand with his parents for the next ten days, so that he can go through the necessary post op rehabilitation and also to be able to consult with the surgeon who operated on him,” he said.
Solomons said Parkes would then fly back to Port Elizabeth on the 10th of April 2013, where he would continue his rehabilitation and training regime with the intent of rejoining the team later in the season.
Solomons said Parkes versatility would be missed on the tour.
“Hadleigh really is a versatile player. He can fill in pretty much anywhere on the back line and will be missed. We wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.
Solomons said other injury concerns were Shaun Venter, who had a slightly sprained ankle and who was also being rested until Thursday before rejoining training, while Andries Strauss had bruised his other shoulder.
“Schalk Ferreira took a bit of a knock to the chest but is fine, and Kevin Buys, who took a knock to the collarbone, is also fine,” he said.
Solomons said Marcello Sampson is also still recovering from a bruised heel.
The Southern Kings have two matches left in Australia before returning to Port Elizabeth to meet the Bulls in Port Elizabeth on 20 April 2013:
- 5 April 2013: Brumbies vs Kings at Canberra Stadium in Canberra
- 13 April 2013: Rebels vs Kings at AAMI Park in Melbourne
Siviwe Soyizwapi leaves Port Elizabeth airport to join up with his fellow Southern Kings players in Sydney.
