Kings name side - begin quest to defend Super Rugby spot

I for one hope they succeed - the crowds and excitement around the franchise are undeniable. If the team on the field can be improved with some recruits it could become a very tough place to play. Good for SA rugby also to have a Super Rugby presence in Port Elizabeth instead of Johannesburg. The 200 Lions fans left can become Bulls fans.

 

Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Hadleigh Parkes, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Darron Nell (capt), 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

 

Replacements: 16 Charl du Plessis, 17 Hannes Franklin, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Devin Oosthuizen, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Waylon Murray.

Here is the Lions side for the match:- Lions: 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Dylan des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Willie Britz, 19 Warwick Tecklenburg, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Chrysander Botha I hope on the quiet the Kings would make it - but I do think the odds are 50:50. The Lions made what is to my mind a huge gamble playing Jantjies at 10 - it has the potential to upset the applecat badly - bearing in mind his performance for the Stormers was way below par. He might be the Kings greatest weapon in the end. Looking at the two teams I would say that - * I think insofar as the outside backs are concerned - its a 50:50 situation - nor much to choose between the two teams; * the center situation t my mind favour the Lions - Stokkies Hanekom is very good on attack - but Hollenbach is injured and Des Fountain is not so hot - but should be able to keep the boat on course; * Catrakilis vs Jantjies - one way traffic in favour of Catrakillis; * Scrummies - I would say 50:50 * Loosies - the Kings loosies were very good in Super 15 - and is likely to be the better combination despites Minnie's presence: * Locks - another 50:50 situation. * Props and Hooker also 50:50 - even though Ferreira was vey good in Super 15. All-in=all the Kings should win - but would they? ; *