South African Super Rugby franchise the Southern Kings have added to their
Super Rugby training squad with the addition of players from Border Bulldogs,
South Western Districts and Sharks on a trial basis.
The new players on trial from Border include Loose Forwards Billy Dutton (26)
and Onke Dubase (26), Hooker Mihlali Mpafi (24) Winger Michael Makase (25) and
Scrumhalf Ntando Kebe (27).
SWD players included Leighton Eksteen (21), who has played at Scrumhalf, Flyhalf
and Fullback, and Luzuko Vulindlu (28) who has played at Centre and Wing.
Sharks players include Hooker Monde Hadebe (25) and Centre Lukhanyo Am (22).
Southern Kings Chief Operating Officer, Charl Crous, said these players had
joined the Southern Kings on a trial basis, and that a final squad would only
be announced towards the end of January.
Crous also confirmed that Tighthead Prop, Jacobie Adriaanse, who recently
returned to South Africa having spent time with French Top 14 side Montpellier,
had been signed. He said the Kings had also secured the services of Lock Schalk
Oelofse (27) who was on loan from SWD for the season.
“We are still in the process of negotiating with other players and with
the other unions, but we have made significant progress over the December break
and things are looking positive, with more player announcements expected over
the coming weeks,” said Crous.
Head Coach, Deon Davids, said there was a sense of quiet optimism among the
players at the first orientation meeting this morning.
“The players are all very positive and excited about the season ahead,”
he said.
Davids said the first week would focus on testing, as well as team building,
with a number of workshops also planned. He said more rugby orientated training
would begin in earnest from next week.
Shortly before the December break last year, the Kings confirmed the signings
of:
Malcolm Jaer, 20, Fullback
Siyanda Grey ,26, Wing/Centre
JP du Plessis, 24, Centre
Stefan Watermeyer, 27, Centre
Elgar Watts, 30, Flyhalf
Louis Fouche, 25, Flyhalf
Shane Gates, 23, Flyhalf
James Hall, 19, Scrumhalf
Kevin Luiters, 23, Scrumhalf
Aidon Davis, 21, No 8
Sipato Junior Pokomela, 19, No 8
Cyril-John Velleman, 20, Flank
Stefan Willemse, 23, Flank
Thembelani Bholi, 25, Flank
Cornell Hess, 26, Lock
Steven Sykes, 31, Lock
Tyler Paul, 20, Lock/flank
Schalk Ferreira, 31, Prop
Tom Botha, 25, Prop
Edgar Marutlulle, 27, Hooker
