Koen in shock Boland return

Wellington - Former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen, who played 15 Tests for South Africa between 2000 and 2003, is back in action.

Koen is included in the Boland Cavalier side for Friday's Currie Cup First Division match against the Falcons at the Boland Stadium in Wellington.

The 35-year-old Koen has been Boland's assistant coach for the last couple of seasons, but after four consecutive defeats, coach Loffie Eloff has decided Koen can still do the job for him.

In this week's training sessions Koen slotted in well - and even impressed with his kicking abillities after such a long lay-off.

Eloff has also decided to pick former Sharks Under-21 fullback Chris Micklewood in the No 15 jersey with Jacquin Jansen moving to right wing.

Former Springbok flank Hilton Loberts has also recovered fom his injury and will partner Hottie Louw at lock.

Meanwhile, the unbeaten EP Kings will have De Wet Barry back at centre for their match against the Griffons at Welkom.

EP suffered five defeats in succession in the Northern Free State and would like to put matters straight this time.

Barry will partner Jaco Bekker in midfield.

However, the injury to lock Rory Duncan which will sideline him for the rest of the season, comes as a huge blow to the EP outfit.

After a stint with the EP Kings, wing Howard Noble will this time turn out for the Border Bulldogs in their clash in East London against the SWD Eagles.

Teams:

Boland v Falcons:

Boland:

Chris Mickelwood, Jacquin Jansen, Cornal Hendricks Alex Kock, Jeremy Plaatjies, Louis Koen, Bolla Conradie (captain), Braam Immelman, Thor Halvorsen, Franzel September, Hottie Louw, Hilton Lobberts, Janro van Niekerk, Clemen Lewis, Charl du Plessis

Replacements: Andries Kruger, Rossouw Kruger, Nikolai Blignaut, Zandr Jordaan Willie le Roux, PJ Vermeulen, Lionel Cornelius

Falcons:

Chrysander Botha, Kyle Hendricks, Coert Cronj, Franco Booysen, Theo Rhodes, Martin Thomsen, Jaco Snyman, Warren Perkins (captain), Bradley Fortuin, Theo Becker, Eddie Gauch, Christopher Yearsley, Thulani Ngidi, Shone van der Walt, Jacques George

Replacements: BB Hefer, Vernon du Preez, Nico Engelbrecht, Jaco Swart, Willie Odendaal, Anthony Klonaridis, Japie Naude

Griffons v EP Kings:

Griffons:

Ruan Lamprecht, Charl Weideman, Werner Griesel (captain), Thabang Molefe, JW Jonker, Jannie Myburgh, Hendrik van der Nest, Willie Britz, Marnus Briedenhann, Johan Wessels, Windpomp van Rooyen, David de Villiers, Sarel Louw, PW van Vuuren, Kevin Stevens

Replacements: Derrick van Heerden, Sewes Oostehuizen, Joubert Horn, Nicky Steyn, Enrico Schultz, Barry Goodes, Tertius Maarman

EP Kings:

Tiger Mangweni, Paul Perez, Jaco Bekker, De Wet Barry (captain), Norman Nelson, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Donald Stevens, JJ Gagiano, Pietie Ferreira, Jacques Potgieter, Brendon Snyman, Nolan Clark, Andre Schlechter, Nio Halangahu, Michael de Neuilly-Rice

Replacements: Bobby Dyer, Riaan Vermeulen, Devin Oosthuizen, Zolani Mofu, Gerrie Odendaal, Mzwandile Stick, Matthew Tayler-Smith.

Border Bulldogs:

Thembani Mkokeli, Royden Kennedy, Divan van Zyl, Jeffrey Taljard, Ryan Brown, Logan Basson, Yongama Mkaza (captain), Solly Tyibilika, Nomani Tonga, Ross Doneghan, Samora Filhani, Ben Venter, Marius Visser, Matthew Taljaard, Johan Geldenhuys

Replacements: Kwezi Mkhafu, Byron Schmidt, Bonga Mntunjani, Dumisani Meslane, Ntando Kebe, Chumani Booi, Howard Noble.

SWD Eagles:

Bobby Joubert, Baldwin McBean, Sinethemba Zweni, Bevin Fortuin (captain), Joe Breytenbach, Ambrose Barends, Jandr Blom, Lyndon Hartnich, Shawn Raubenheimer, Danzil Manuel, Henry Grimes, Giant Ntyanda, Wikus Harmse, Hans Grobler

Replacements: Jandr de Beer, Jacques Engelbrecht, Christo du Plessis, Dougie Hellmuth, Eric Zana, Marchall Potts