Cape Town - One of Eastern Province rugby's stalwarts, Tiger Mangweni, has failed to make the cut for the Southern Kings' Super Rugby squad.
Mangweni, who was the EP Kings' player of the season last year, was not included when the Kings named a 40-man squad on Monday.
According to Die Burger's website, the 33-year-old centre is now likely to play a leadership role for EP in the Vodacom Cup.
Andries Strauss and New Zealander Hadleigh Parkes are the favourites for the No 12 jersey. Wayne Stevens shifted to outside centre last year, but can also be utilised on the inside, while Siyanda Grey, Ronnie Cooke and Waylon Murray will fight for the No 13 jersey.
Another veteran who will play Vodacom Cup and no Super Rugby is utility forward Wayne van Heerden. Van Heerden, 33, will also be utilised in a leadership capacity for Eastern Province.
The Kings, who will replace the Lions in this year's Southern Hemisphere competition, start their campaign at home against Australia's Force on February 23.
Southern Kings' revised squad:
Forwards:
Rynier Bernardo, David Bullbring, Kevin Buys, Cornell du Preez, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jaco Engels, Schalk Ferreira, Hannes Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Lizo Gqoboka, Virgil Lacombe, Tomas Leonardi, Bandise Maku, Edgar Marutlulle, Mpho Mbiyozo, Darron Nell, Daniel Adongo, Devin Oosthuizen, Steven Sykes, Wimpie van der Walt, Luke Watson (captain)
Backs:
Demetri Catrakilis, Ronnie Cooke, Wesley Dunlop, Siyanda Grey, Johan Herbst, Michael Killian, SP Marais, Scott Mathie, Waylon Murray, Hadleigh Parkes, Sergeal Petersen, Marcello Sampson, Shakes Soyizwapi, Wayne Stevens, Andries Strauss, Elrich van Vuuren, Shaun Venter, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead
Players who missed the cut:
Forwards:
Boetie Britz, Charl du Plessis, Armand du Preez, Samora Fihlani, Thabo Mamojele, Wayne van Heerden
Backs:
Ntabeni Dukisa, Shane Gates, Tiger Mangweni, Norman Nelson, Mzwandile Stick, Scott van Breda
HAVE YOUR SAY: How will the Southern Kings fare in this year's Super Rugby competition? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
Mangweni, who was the EP Kings' player of the season last year, was not included when the Kings named a 40-man squad on Monday.
According to Die Burger's website, the 33-year-old centre is now likely to play a leadership role for EP in the Vodacom Cup.
Andries Strauss and New Zealander Hadleigh Parkes are the favourites for the No 12 jersey. Wayne Stevens shifted to outside centre last year, but can also be utilised on the inside, while Siyanda Grey, Ronnie Cooke and Waylon Murray will fight for the No 13 jersey.
Another veteran who will play Vodacom Cup and no Super Rugby is utility forward Wayne van Heerden. Van Heerden, 33, will also be utilised in a leadership capacity for Eastern Province.
The Kings, who will replace the Lions in this year's Southern Hemisphere competition, start their campaign at home against Australia's Force on February 23.
Southern Kings' revised squad:
Forwards:
Rynier Bernardo, David Bullbring, Kevin Buys, Cornell du Preez, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jaco Engels, Schalk Ferreira, Hannes Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Lizo Gqoboka, Virgil Lacombe, Tomas Leonardi, Bandise Maku, Edgar Marutlulle, Mpho Mbiyozo, Darron Nell, Daniel Adongo, Devin Oosthuizen, Steven Sykes, Wimpie van der Walt, Luke Watson (captain)
Backs:
Demetri Catrakilis, Ronnie Cooke, Wesley Dunlop, Siyanda Grey, Johan Herbst, Michael Killian, SP Marais, Scott Mathie, Waylon Murray, Hadleigh Parkes, Sergeal Petersen, Marcello Sampson, Shakes Soyizwapi, Wayne Stevens, Andries Strauss, Elrich van Vuuren, Shaun Venter, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead
Players who missed the cut:
Forwards:
Boetie Britz, Charl du Plessis, Armand du Preez, Samora Fihlani, Thabo Mamojele, Wayne van Heerden
Backs:
Ntabeni Dukisa, Shane Gates, Tiger Mangweni, Norman Nelson, Mzwandile Stick, Scott van Breda
HAVE YOUR SAY: How will the Southern Kings fare in this year's Super Rugby competition? Send your thoughts to Sport24.