Share

Geldenhuys leads Kings, Cronje injured

Port Elizabeth - Experienced Southern Kings prop, Ross Geldenhuys, will lead the team when they take on the Lions in a Super Rugby clash at Ellis Park on Sunday (14:30 kick-off).
 
The Kings were dealt a massive blow this week when captain Lionel Cronje, who had just returned from the Springbok camp, learnt belatedly after some discomfort that he had sustained a jaw injury.
 
It was discovered that Cronje had a small crack in his jaw which was plated on Thursday. The flyhalf will be out of action for a week before being available to take part in the South Africa ‘A’ side that will take on the French Barbarians in two matches next month.
 
The injury to Cronje has forced Southern Kings coach Deon Davids to start Pieter-Steyn de Wet in the No10 jersey this weekend.
 
A further injury blow came from another SA ‘A’ representative, loose-forward Andisa Ntsila, who will be rested this weekend after sustaining a shoulder injury which will also keep him out of action for a week.
 
Ntsila will also be ready for action when the SA ‘A’ side faces the French Barbarians, team doctor Konrad von Hagen confirmed.
 
Chris Cloete will make a return to the starting XV after being sidelined with a concussion for the match against the Brumbies.
 
Tyler Paul, who has played at flank this season, will move to the back of the scrum to fill in the gap left vacant by Ntsila’s unavailability. Stefan Willemse will complete the Kings’ loose trio, with Thembelani Bholi providing cover on the bench.
 
Lock Wilhelm van der Sluys, who missed out on taking part in last weekend’s match due to a groin injury, is back in the starting XV and he replaces Lubabalo ‘Giant’ Mtyanda, who will be on the bench this week.
 
“It is a blow to lose our captain after we only found out when he returned from the Springbok camp. This is a great opportunity now for Pieter-Steyn de Wet, who will be getting his first start. We do believe that he is a capable player to fill Lionel’s boots,” Davids said on Friday.
 
“It is also unfortunate that Andisa Ntsila also sustained a shoulder injury, but this now gives us an opportunity to see Tyler Paul at No 8, with Stefan Willemse at blindside flank and Thembelani Bholi also getting an opportunity to make an impact from the bench.”
 
The head coach had something to smile about in his backline following the return of Malcolm Jaer from a knee injury.
 
After last turning out for the Southern Kings while on tour in Australia, Jaer will start at fullback, replacing Chrysander Botha.
 
There will be three debutants for the Southern Kings on the bench.
 
New signing Mzamo Majola, who is on loan from the Sharks, will make his Super Rugby debut should he take to the field, while scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer and utility back Ntabeni Dukisa will also get an opportunity to make their debuts for the Kings.
 
“We have been very impressed with what we have seen from Mzamo Majola since he recently joined us. He has shown great signs as a good scrummager. We know that the Lions will be competitive in the set-pieces, so this will be a great opportunity for Majola to prove his worth. He is really a player we are excited about,” Davids said.
 
“Stefan Ungerer and Ntabeni Dukisa have both been working very hard and deserve the opportunity to play at this level. We are confident that they will add positively to the team.”

Teams:

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Anthony Volmink/23 Sylvian Mahuza

Kings

15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Alshaun Bock, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tyler Paul, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Ross Geldenhuys (captain), 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Schalk van der Merwe
 
Substitutes: 16 Kurt Haupt, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Mzamo Majola, 19 Lubabalo 'Giant' Mtyanda, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa, 23 Stokkies Hanekom

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE