Cape Town - Kings wing Siviwe "Shakes" Soyizwapi admits he's a bit nervous at the prospect of facing Springbok wing Bryan Habana at Newlands on Saturday.
Soyizwapi was on Thursday included in the Kings starting team for their Super Rugby clash against the Stormers. He replaces Siyanda Grey, who pulled out with a hamstring injury.
"I've always looked up to him and has kept an eye on his play for a long time," Soyizwapi told Die Burger's website.
"I'm quite nervous, as this will only be the second time I start a Super-match.
"But I'll try to stay calm and keep my focus."
Soyizwapi is actually more at home in the No 15 jersey, where he's played most of his rugby.
"I do, however enjoy playing wing. I enjoy chasing the ball and at wing you're also require to catch a high ball - just like a fullback.
He said the nickname "Shakes" stems from his childhood. "I played soccer as a youngster and really liked a striker named Shakes in a comic book. My friends then started calling me that," said the 20-year-old former Dale College learner.
The clash kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers:
15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Deon Fourie, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Don Armand, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Gerhard van den Heever
Kings:
15 SP Marais, 14 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss (captain), 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Darron Nell, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Substitutes: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Grant Kemp, 18 Rynier Bernado, 19 Devin Oosthuizen, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Shane Gates, 22 George Whitehead
Soyizwapi was on Thursday included in the Kings starting team for their Super Rugby clash against the Stormers. He replaces Siyanda Grey, who pulled out with a hamstring injury.
"I've always looked up to him and has kept an eye on his play for a long time," Soyizwapi told Die Burger's website.
"I'm quite nervous, as this will only be the second time I start a Super-match.
"But I'll try to stay calm and keep my focus."
Soyizwapi is actually more at home in the No 15 jersey, where he's played most of his rugby.
"I do, however enjoy playing wing. I enjoy chasing the ball and at wing you're also require to catch a high ball - just like a fullback.
He said the nickname "Shakes" stems from his childhood. "I played soccer as a youngster and really liked a striker named Shakes in a comic book. My friends then started calling me that," said the 20-year-old former Dale College learner.
The clash kicks off at 17:05 on Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers:
15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Deon Fourie, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Gerbrandt Grobler, 19 Don Armand, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Gerhard van den Heever
Kings:
15 SP Marais, 14 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss (captain), 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Darron Nell, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Substitutes: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Grant Kemp, 18 Rynier Bernado, 19 Devin Oosthuizen, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Shane Gates, 22 George Whitehead