Publications
Partners
Port Elizabeth - EP Kings scrumhalf Kevin Luiters has talked about coming up against his uncle's team in the Currie Cup, Western Province head coach Allister Coetzee.
Many don't know that the two are related because of their different surnames. But Luiters and Coetzee are close family and have a good relationship, especially when it comes to rugby.
"I'm the only boy in the family as all my cousins are girls, so you can say I have solely inherited the family's rugby legacy," Luiters told the MyPlayers website.
"My uncle Allister doesn't have any sons, so we are quite close, especially when it comes to speaking about rugby.
"All the locals in the Eastern Cape always tell me stories about my grandfather, who was a great rugby player during his time, and my uncle, who was an accomplished scrumhalf and flyhalf. They say he controlled the game really well when he was on the field and could kick conversions with both feet!"
Luiters added that he has always turned to Coetzee when seeking rugby advice.
"Whenever I made provincial or national selection as a schoolboy or when I had to make important decisions during my career, I've always asked my uncle for advice," said Luiters.
"Before my move from the Free State Cheetahs to the EP Kings, I chatted to him and my agent quite closely before signing the deal. He believed it was a move that offered me good opportunities. He's happy to see the rise of EP rugby, especially considering it’s where he played his rugby and a region with so much heritage.
"The best advice uncle Allister has given me is just to enjoy the game and to be sharp on the field."
When the EP Kings hosted Western Province during the first round of this season's Currie Cup, it was the first time Luiters and Coetzee faced each other at the same level. This weekend, it will be the first family head-to-head at Newlands.
"When I was still based at the Cheetahs, we used to meet up whenever he was in Bloemfontein. Now that I'm playing for the opposition, that doesn't happen so often," Luiters said with a laugh. "The family is always supportive, no matter what. My uncle and I might be on opposing teams on the field, but our family will always be a close unit."
In terms of EP's progress in their first run in the Currie Cup Premier Division since 2002, Luiters said the players were disappointed with their opening results, but believes their first win will come soon.
"The guys were shocked after the first couple of defeats as we still got used to the pace of the game at this level," said Luiters. "But we are improving and the confidence is still high within the team.
"We did well against the Bulls and Golden Lions in recent weeks. The Lions rushed into an early 14-0 lead in our last game, but we did well to fight back and lead early in the second half. If we keep working hard and start closing games, we'll pick up that win very soon."
Friday night’s game at Newlands kicks off at 19:10.
Teams:
Western Province:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh (captain), 12. Jaco Taute, 11. Pat Howard, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes
6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Stephan Coetzee, 1. Alistair Vermaak
Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Manuel Carizza, 19. Rynhardt Elstadt, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Justin Geduld
EP Kings:
15. Scott Van Breda, 14. Ronnie Cooke, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Dwayne Jenner, 11. Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Kevin Luiters, 8. Aidon Davis, 7. Paul Schoeman, 6. Shaun Macdonald, 5. Steven Sykes, 4. David Bulbring, 3. Tom Botha, 2. Edgar Marutlulle, 1. Lizo Gqoboka
Substitutes: 16. Mike Van Vuuren, 17. CJ Van Der Linde, 18. Thembalani Bholi, 19. Stefan Willemse, 20. Tobie Botes, 21. Shane Gates, 22. Siyanda Grey
Many don't know that the two are related because of their different surnames. But Luiters and Coetzee are close family and have a good relationship, especially when it comes to rugby.
"I'm the only boy in the family as all my cousins are girls, so you can say I have solely inherited the family's rugby legacy," Luiters told the MyPlayers website.
"My uncle Allister doesn't have any sons, so we are quite close, especially when it comes to speaking about rugby.
"All the locals in the Eastern Cape always tell me stories about my grandfather, who was a great rugby player during his time, and my uncle, who was an accomplished scrumhalf and flyhalf. They say he controlled the game really well when he was on the field and could kick conversions with both feet!"
Luiters added that he has always turned to Coetzee when seeking rugby advice.
"Whenever I made provincial or national selection as a schoolboy or when I had to make important decisions during my career, I've always asked my uncle for advice," said Luiters.
"Before my move from the Free State Cheetahs to the EP Kings, I chatted to him and my agent quite closely before signing the deal. He believed it was a move that offered me good opportunities. He's happy to see the rise of EP rugby, especially considering it’s where he played his rugby and a region with so much heritage.
"The best advice uncle Allister has given me is just to enjoy the game and to be sharp on the field."
When the EP Kings hosted Western Province during the first round of this season's Currie Cup, it was the first time Luiters and Coetzee faced each other at the same level. This weekend, it will be the first family head-to-head at Newlands.
"When I was still based at the Cheetahs, we used to meet up whenever he was in Bloemfontein. Now that I'm playing for the opposition, that doesn't happen so often," Luiters said with a laugh. "The family is always supportive, no matter what. My uncle and I might be on opposing teams on the field, but our family will always be a close unit."
In terms of EP's progress in their first run in the Currie Cup Premier Division since 2002, Luiters said the players were disappointed with their opening results, but believes their first win will come soon.
"The guys were shocked after the first couple of defeats as we still got used to the pace of the game at this level," said Luiters. "But we are improving and the confidence is still high within the team.
"We did well against the Bulls and Golden Lions in recent weeks. The Lions rushed into an early 14-0 lead in our last game, but we did well to fight back and lead early in the second half. If we keep working hard and start closing games, we'll pick up that win very soon."
Friday night’s game at Newlands kicks off at 19:10.
Teams:
Western Province:
15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh (captain), 12. Jaco Taute, 11. Pat Howard, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Michael Rhodes
6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Stephan Coetzee, 1. Alistair Vermaak
Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Pat Cilliers, 18. Manuel Carizza, 19. Rynhardt Elstadt, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Justin Geduld
EP Kings:
15. Scott Van Breda, 14. Ronnie Cooke, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Dwayne Jenner, 11. Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Kevin Luiters, 8. Aidon Davis, 7. Paul Schoeman, 6. Shaun Macdonald, 5. Steven Sykes, 4. David Bulbring, 3. Tom Botha, 2. Edgar Marutlulle, 1. Lizo Gqoboka
Substitutes: 16. Mike Van Vuuren, 17. CJ Van Der Linde, 18. Thembalani Bholi, 19. Stefan Willemse, 20. Tobie Botes, 21. Shane Gates, 22. Siyanda Grey
