The Southern Kings have named their team to face the touring British and Irish Lions but have yet to confirm who will captain the team.
Early reports suggested that flanker Solly Tyibilika (pictured) had been awarded the armband but that now appears to be in doubt.
Mike Catt, Gary Botha and Brent Russell were originally linked with the team for the match but they were not included in the announced team and a number of Bulls players were named instead.
Tyibilika and scrumhalf Josh Fowles are the only two current Border Bulldogs players that were named yesterday in the Southern Kings squad to face the British and Irish Lions in Port Elizabeth on June 16.
The Southern Kings are a team that are hopeful of playing in
Super Rugby from 2011 in a to-be-formed Australian conference in the
Super 15.
The idea for the team was to develop
rugby in the Eastern Cape but with only two current Border Bulldogs in the team development of EP
rugby seems to have been forgotten.
The squad was announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday which is one of the host venues for next year’s World Cup.
Southern Kings coach Alan Solomons will be assisted by former Springbok and Western Province prop Robbie Kempson according to News24.
Other players with Bulldog connections are prop Michael Coetzee, fullback Tiger Mangweni and lock Lungile Payi.
Western Province player Wylie Human told the Dispatch, “It is awesome to be part of the Eastern Cape franchise.”
Western Province lock Lungile Payi, formerly of Border, said: “To be part of a history-making squad is a huge honour, and to play in a rare match against the
British Lions is something else.”
Boland flyhalf Elgar Watts said: “Not every player can say he has had the honour of being in the first squad of a new franchise ‘ I am very fortunate to be part of it.”
Former Springbok manager Zola Yeye has told the Dispatch that the match 22 to take on the Lions would be named this Thursday.
Southern Kings team:
Tiger Mangweni, Wylie Human, Frikkie Welsh, De Wet Barry, Ryno Benjamin, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Francois Hougaard, Darron Nell, Solly Tyibilika, Mpho Mbiyozo, Marco Wentzel, Ross Skeate, Ruan Vermeulen, Derrick Ku’n, Jaco Engels
Other squad members: Simon Westraad, Kevin Buys, Linqile Payi, Heinrich Stride, Josh Fowles, Mzwandile Stick, Elgar Watts, Bevin Fortuin, Henry Grimes, Michael Vermaak
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