By GEORGE BYRON
Exciting young prospect Dewald Human has been promoted to start at flyhalf for the Southern Kings when they face the Stormers in their final Super Rugby match at Newlands tomorrow.
Human takes the place of Louis Fouche, and Kings coach Deon Davids said they were looking forward to seeing what the 21-year-old could bring to the game.
“We thought we would use this opportunity to see what Dewald can do. The Kings have got him here to observe him in that position,” said Davids.
“In the training leading up to this game we used him there, and we liked what we saw.
“In the past we have had Dewald on the bench to use him there, but the injury situation forced us not to able to use him there.
“Dewald always went on as fullback. We know what we have in Louis Fouche, but we have to look at the future. When you look at Dewald in training, he has very good vision, a good passing game and a good kicking game, both tactically and kicking to poles.
“He has the ability that he can play from fullback, so he gives you two of the same thing. So we are really excited to see him playing there.”
Human attended and played rugby for Hoërskool Outeniqua in George.
After high school he moved to Pretoria, where he joined the Blue Bulls academy.
He was included in the Blue Bulls U19 squad for the 2014 U19 Provincial Championship and immediately established himself as the first-choice flyhalf for the team.
Human was contracted by the South African Rugby Union to join the South Africa Sevens Academy and was also named in an extended training squad as preparation for the Summer Olympic. However, he failed to make any appearances for the senior Sevens squad during the 2015-16 Sevens World Series.
Human later started training with Kings and was named on the bench for their Round 14 match against Argentine side the Jaguares. He came on as replacement at fullback for an injured Jurgen Visser in that game in Port Elizabeth.
Another change sees captain Steven Sykes returning to the side in the place of Schalk Oelofse after missing last weekend’s clash against the Lions for personal reasons.
Oelofse is currently on the bench, but had a niggle with his shoulder during training, and Davids said Sintu Manjezi had been pencilled in as a possible replacement.
“I am still waiting for feedback from our physios regarding Schalk, but if he is not available it would be a straight swap with Sintu,” he said.
Davids has also rotated Aidon Davis and Jacques Engelbrecht at number eight, which means Engelbrecht will start at Newlands.
“The boys are just excited to play and we have enjoyed our training this week and everything leading up to our last game,” said Davids.
“At this point we just want to go out and do it for ourselves and leave everything on the field.”
The Kings team is: Malcolm Jaer; Lukhanyo Am, Stefan Watermeyer, Shane Gates, Wandile Mjekevu; Dewald Human, James Hall; Jacques Engelbrecht, Stefan Willemse, Andisa Ntsila, JC Astle, Steven Sykes (capt), Jacobie Adriaanse, Edgar Marutlulle, Sti Sithole. Reserves: Martin Bezuidenhout, Schalk Ferreira, Tom Botha, Schalk Oelofse/Sintu Manjezi, Aidon Davis, Kevin Luiters, Elgar Watts.
Kings try their Human thunderbolt
Exciting young prospect Dewald Human has been promoted to start at flyhalf for the Southern Kings when they face the Stormers in their final Super Rugby match at Newlands tomorrow.
Human takes the place of Louis Fouche, and Kings coach Deon Davids said they were looking forward to seeing what the 21-year-old could bring to the game.
“We thought we would use this opportunity to see what Dewald can do. The Kings have got him here to observe him in that position,” said Davids.
“In the training leading up to this game we used him there, and we liked what we saw.
“In the past we have had Dewald on the bench to use him there, but the injury situation forced us not to able to use him there.
“Dewald always went on as fullback. We know what we have in Louis Fouche, but we have to look at the future. When you look at Dewald in training, he has very good vision, a good passing game and a good kicking game, both tactically and kicking to poles.
“He has the ability that he can play from fullback, so he gives you two of the same thing. So we are really excited to see him playing there.”
Human attended and played rugby for Hoërskool Outeniqua in George.
After high school he moved to Pretoria, where he joined the Blue Bulls academy.
He was included in the Blue Bulls U19 squad for the 2014 U19 Provincial Championship and immediately established himself as the first-choice flyhalf for the team.
Human was contracted by the South African Rugby Union to join the South Africa Sevens Academy and was also named in an extended training squad as preparation for the Summer Olympic. However, he failed to make any appearances for the senior Sevens squad during the 2015-16 Sevens World Series.
Human later started training with Kings and was named on the bench for their Round 14 match against Argentine side the Jaguares. He came on as replacement at fullback for an injured Jurgen Visser in that game in Port Elizabeth.
Another change sees captain Steven Sykes returning to the side in the place of Schalk Oelofse after missing last weekend’s clash against the Lions for personal reasons.
Oelofse is currently on the bench, but had a niggle with his shoulder during training, and Davids said Sintu Manjezi had been pencilled in as a possible replacement.
“I am still waiting for feedback from our physios regarding Schalk, but if he is not available it would be a straight swap with Sintu,” he said.
Davids has also rotated Aidon Davis and Jacques Engelbrecht at number eight, which means Engelbrecht will start at Newlands.
“The boys are just excited to play and we have enjoyed our training this week and everything leading up to our last game,” said Davids.
“At this point we just want to go out and do it for ourselves and leave everything on the field.”
The Kings team is: Malcolm Jaer; Lukhanyo Am, Stefan Watermeyer, Shane Gates, Wandile Mjekevu; Dewald Human, James Hall; Jacques Engelbrecht, Stefan Willemse, Andisa Ntsila, JC Astle, Steven Sykes (capt), Jacobie Adriaanse, Edgar Marutlulle, Sti Sithole. Reserves: Martin Bezuidenhout, Schalk Ferreira, Tom Botha, Schalk Oelofse/Sintu Manjezi, Aidon Davis, Kevin Luiters, Elgar Watts.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos