DOUBTS over the fitness of regular skipper Luke Watson resulted in giant lock Darron Nell being selected as captain of the Southern Kings for their crunch Super Rugby match against the Sharks on Saturday.
Watson has been named on the bench and there are still hopes that he might play despite taking a severe knock to the throat which resulted in him having to leave the field during the Kings’ first match against the Western Force.
“Luke took a blow to the throat which caused inflammation. Though he is badly bruised and has difficulty breathing we are hopeful he will be fit to take his place in the team by the weekend,” Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said when he named the team yesterday.
“Luke is going to see a specialist but we felt the starting line-up for the Sharks match could not be delayed.”
Doubts over Watson means the highly experienced Nell takes over the captaincy and starts ahead of David Bullbring who moves to the bench.
“Darron has been with us right from the start when the Southern Kings played the British and Irish Lions in 2009. He has led the side with distinction on many occasions. Centre Andries Strauss, who did a fine job after Luke left the field against the Force, retains the vice-captaincy,” said Solomons.
Nell, who was a key figure for the Kings when they won the Absa Currie Cup First Division title last season, said he was delighted to be back in the side.
“It is awesome to be back and it will be an unbelievable honour to lead the team against the Sharks. I am really looking forward to getting out there and getting things going,” said Nell.
With Watson on the bench, Jacques “Vleis” Engelbrecht will start at number eight and Cornell du Preez and Wimpie van der Walt will pack down on the flanks.
Nel’s lock partner Steven Sykes, who was one of the stars in the Kings’ win over the Force, said he was looking forward to locking horns against his former teammates. Sykes joined the Kings last year from the Sharks.
Scumhalf Johan Herbst, who was on the bench against the Force, has been replaced by Argentinian international Nicholas Vergallo. Livewire scrumhalf Shaun Venter, who impressed against the Force, retains his place in the starting line-up for Saturday's clash.
KINGS SIDE: SP Marais; Marcello Sampson, Ronnie Cooke, Andries Strauss, Sergeal Petersen; Demetri Catrakilis, Shaun Venter; Schalk Ferreira, Bandise Maku, Kevin Buys, Cornell du Preez, Darron Nell (capt), Steven Sykes, Wimpie van der Walt, Jacques Engelbrecht. Reserves: Edgar Marutlulle, Jaco Engels, David Bullbring, Luke Watson, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead, Hadleigh Parkes.
King Nell steps into the breach
Watson has been named on the bench and there are still hopes that he might play despite taking a severe knock to the throat which resulted in him having to leave the field during the Kings’ first match against the Western Force.
“Luke took a blow to the throat which caused inflammation. Though he is badly bruised and has difficulty breathing we are hopeful he will be fit to take his place in the team by the weekend,” Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said when he named the team yesterday.
“Luke is going to see a specialist but we felt the starting line-up for the Sharks match could not be delayed.”
Doubts over Watson means the highly experienced Nell takes over the captaincy and starts ahead of David Bullbring who moves to the bench.
“Darron has been with us right from the start when the Southern Kings played the British and Irish Lions in 2009. He has led the side with distinction on many occasions. Centre Andries Strauss, who did a fine job after Luke left the field against the Force, retains the vice-captaincy,” said Solomons.
Nell, who was a key figure for the Kings when they won the Absa Currie Cup First Division title last season, said he was delighted to be back in the side.
“It is awesome to be back and it will be an unbelievable honour to lead the team against the Sharks. I am really looking forward to getting out there and getting things going,” said Nell.
With Watson on the bench, Jacques “Vleis” Engelbrecht will start at number eight and Cornell du Preez and Wimpie van der Walt will pack down on the flanks.
Nel’s lock partner Steven Sykes, who was one of the stars in the Kings’ win over the Force, said he was looking forward to locking horns against his former teammates. Sykes joined the Kings last year from the Sharks.
Scumhalf Johan Herbst, who was on the bench against the Force, has been replaced by Argentinian international Nicholas Vergallo. Livewire scrumhalf Shaun Venter, who impressed against the Force, retains his place in the starting line-up for Saturday's clash.
KINGS SIDE: SP Marais; Marcello Sampson, Ronnie Cooke, Andries Strauss, Sergeal Petersen; Demetri Catrakilis, Shaun Venter; Schalk Ferreira, Bandise Maku, Kevin Buys, Cornell du Preez, Darron Nell (capt), Steven Sykes, Wimpie van der Walt, Jacques Engelbrecht. Reserves: Edgar Marutlulle, Jaco Engels, David Bullbring, Luke Watson, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead, Hadleigh Parkes.
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