Ex-Blitzbok star added to Kings coaching staff

Cape Town - The Southern Kings’ coaching staff has been bolstered with the announcements of Vuyo Zangqa and David Williams to assist head coach Deon Davids in the forthcoming Super Rugby campaign.

Former Springbok lock Barend Pieterse will remain assistant coach in charge of the forwards, while Zangqa has been appointed as backline assistant coach and Williams as new general attack and fundamental skills coach.

Zangqa, who takes over from his former Blitzbok team-mate Mzwandile Stick, is well-known in South African rugby, having represented the Springbok Sevens team in 21 tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series between 2007 and 2009.

Unfortunately Zangqa’s playing career was prematurely ended in 2009 when he suffered serious facial injuries in a car accident aged only 27. Apart from Sevens, he also represented the Border Bulldogs and Leopards in a number of senior provincial campaigns.

Since his retirement, Zangqa has made a successful move to coaching and has been involved with the Springbok and Kenyan Sevens teams as assistant coach before turning his attention to the 15-man code where he was one of the EP Kings’ assistant coaches in the recent Currie Cup competition.

Williams also brings a wealth of experience to Port Elizabeth, having previously worked as assistant coach with the Kobelco Steelers in Japan, academy coach at Bath in England, coaching consultant at SACS in Cape Town, and coaching co-ordinator and academy coach at London Irish in England.

“Vuyo’s experience of coaching at various levels of the game, and especially his vast knowledge of skills from his days as sevens player and coach, will come in very handy,” said Davids.

“Similarly David has experienced rugby cultures at various clubs across the world, so it would be good to get those influences at the Kings. I’m really looking forward to working with both these gentlemen, and obviously Barend too.”

Davids recently confirmed a number of exciting player signings, namely experienced props Schalk van der Merwe, Schalk Ferreira and Chris Heiberg, outside backs Wandile Mjekevu and Neil Maritz, as well as Irné Herbst (lock), Wandile Putuma (lock), Garrick Mattheus (flyhalf), Yaw Penxe (wing) and Sintu Manjezi (flank / lock) will join the squad in Port Elizabeth.