Port Elizabeth’s Southern Kings Super Rugby franchise have confirmed three
more player signings for the 2016 Super Rugby tournament.
Chief Operating Officer, Charl Crous, confirmed the signing of the young up
and coming lock, Phillip du Preez (22) the versatile back line player, Jurgen
Visser (26) and hooker, Martin Bezuidenhout (26).
Crous also confirmed that Sharks player, Jaco van Tonder (24), had joined the
team on trial this week.
Du Preez has been described as one of the best up and coming line out jumpers.
He recently returned from France, where he played for Bayonne.
Du Preez started his professional rugby career playing for the Lions in the
U18 Coca Cola Craven Week competition, before making the SA Schools team. He
then joined the Blue Bulls in the ABSA U19 competition before moving to the
Cheetahs the following year to represent them in the U21 competition. He made
his Cup debut for the Cheetahs in 2014.
Visser played 8 games for Western Province before relocating to Pretoria,
where he played 40 matches for the Blue Bulls in Currie Cup and 31 matches for
the Bulls in Super Rugby.
Visser is known for his versatility, and although playing mostly at fullback,
he has also played at wing and scrumhalf.
Bezuidenhout, who played with Griquas in the Cup and Currie Cup competitions
last year, also played for the Stormers and the Lions in Super Rugby.
Van Tonder is also a versatile back line player. He moved from the George
based SWD Eagles, where he played U16 Grant Khomo and U18 Craven week competitions,
to Kwazulu Natal, where he joined the Sharks. He made his debut for them in
the 2012 Cup.
Meanwhile the Southern Kings have confirmed that they will be playing a warm
up match against the SWD Eagles in George on the 5th of February.
The Southern Kings had planned to play the Stormers, but this match is now
no longer possible.
“Due to the changes in the Stormers pre-season preparations we are no
longer able to play a friendly match against them in our build up to our Super
Rugby campaign, but we have managed to secure a friendly against the SWD Eagles,
which we are looking forward to, ” said Crous.
The game will kick off at 7pm at Outeniqua Park in George, on Friday the 5th
of February.
Current squad to date
Aidon Davis, 21, No 8
Chris Cloete, 24, Flank
Cornell Hess, 26, Lock
Cyril-John Velleman, 20, Flank
Edgar Marutlulle, 27, Hooker
Elgar Watts, 30, Flyhalf
Jacobie Adriaanse, 30, Tighthead Prop
Jacques (Vleis) Engelbrecht,30, No 8
James Hall, 19, Scrumhalf
John-Charles (JC) Astle, 25, Lock
JP du Plessis, 24, Centre
Jurgen Visser (26), Fullback
Kevin Luiters, 23, Scrumhalf
Leighton Eksteen,21, Scrumhalf, Flyhalf, Fullback
Louis Fouche, 25, Flyhalf
Lukhanyo Am, 22, Centre
Luzuko Vulindlu, 28, Centre/Wing
Malcolm Jaer, 20, Fullback
Martin Ferreira, 26, Hooker
Phillip du Plessis, 22, Lock
Schalk Ferreira, 31, Prop
Schalk Oelofse, 27, Lock
Shane Gates, 23, Flyhalf
Sipato Junior Pokomela, 19, No 8
Siyanda Grey ,26, Wing/Centre
Stefan Watermeyer, 27, Centre
Stefan Willemse, 23, Flank
Steven Sykes, 31, Lock
Tazz Fuzani, 25, Lock
Thembelani Bholi, 25, Flank
Tom Botha, 25, Prop
Tyler Paul, 20, Lock/Flank
