2014 CC KINGS vs 2013 SR KINGS

Cheeky has openly claimed that the 2014 Currie cup squad is 20 - 30% better than the 2013 Super Rugby squad.  So I decided to compare the 2 squads by comparing each position and also the coaching staff...

2013 SR                                             2014 CC

Props:
Schalk Ferrreira                                   Charl du Plessis
Jaco Engels                                         CJ van der Linde
Kevin Buys                                          Simon Kerrod
Grant Kemp (SWD)                              Tom Botha
                                                           Lizo Gqoboko

In the prop position I think the 2013 Super rugby squad has the advantage with more experience.  Keep in mind though that if we would select a Super rugby squad at this moment Grant Kemp would be drafted and replace one of the EP props.  In that case the 2013 SR front row and the 2014 SR front row is about even.

Hookers:
Hannes Franklin (SWD)                      Dane vd Westhuisen
Virgile Lacombe                                 Albe de Swardt
Bandise Maku                                    Michael van Vuuren
Edgar Marutlulle                                 Edgar Maratlule
In the hooker position the 2013 SR and the 2014 CC teams are pretty even and with Hannes Franklin now at SWD he is still an option for a 2014 SR squad.

Locks:
Steven Sykes                                     Steven Sykes
David Bullbring                                   David Bullbring
Darron Nell                                         Darron Nell
Rynier Bernardo                                 Steve Cummins

In the lock position most of the players are the same players except for a straight swap of Rynier Bernardo for Steve Cummins.  I personally think Bernardo a better option but due to better offers from overseas he left our shores.  Steve Cummins however has come through the Australian ranks and represented their junior teams at a national level and should be an adequate replacement.  Therefore the lock position is pretty much a tie between the 2013 SR squad and the 2014 CC squad. 

Loose Forwards:
Daniel Adongo                                   Darron Nell
Wimpie van der Walt                          Shawn McDonnald
Mpho Mbiyozo                                   Thembelani Bholi
Tomas Leonardi                                  Aidon Davis
Cornell du Preez                                 Paul Schoeman
Devin Oosthuizen                               Devin Oosthuizen
Luke Watson (Captain)                       Luke Watson
Jacques Engelbrecht                           Tim Agaba

In the looseforward position we have some youngsters coming through in the 2014 CC squad but the experience of Cornell, Wimpie, Mpho and 'Vleis' will be missed and therefore I think the 2013 SR squad edges the 2014 CC squad and probably was 30 - 40 % better. However the current crop is young and could improve with experience. 

Backs

Scrummies:
Shaun Venter                                      Kevin Luiters
Johan Herbst                                       Jaco Grobler
Nicolas Vergallo                                  Tobie Botes

All three the scrumhalves of last year has left the franchise and new players have been recruited.  Trying to stick to the bring them home and keep them home theme Luiters and Grobler (both only 21) have been brought back to the franchise.  Both players are very capable and should improve with experience and game time.  Tobie Botes at the age of 29 has a lot of experience in Europe and gained 20 odd caps for the Italian international team and was drafted by the Kings to guide the youngsters through what will likely be a very tough Currie Cup season.  Due to experience I think the 2013 SR squad again edges the 2014 CC squad with 10 - 20%. 

Flyhalves:
Demetri Catrakillis                              Gary van Aswegen
George Whitehead                              George Whitehead

With George Whitehead featuring in both squads it comes down to who is the better flyhalf between Catrakillis and van Aswegen.  Personally I prefer Catrakillis over van Aswegen and with Whitehead out of form the 2013 SR squad again edges 2014 CC squad with a few percent. 

Centres:
Andries Strauss                                   Tim Whitehead          
Hadleigh Parkes                                  Shane Gates
Ronnie Cooke                                      Ronnie Cooke
Waylon Murray                                    Dwayne Jenner

At centre things are pretty much even with Shane Gates coming through the ranks and showing some promise.  Whitehead and Strauss pretty much an even swap and with Waylon Murray a regular on the injury list and with Dwayne Jenner a young strong up and coming player it tight to call who the better squad would have been and therefore I call it a tie in the centre position. 

Wings:
Michael Killian                                     Scott van Breda
Sergeal Petersen                                  Sergeal Petersen
Marcello Sampson                                Paul Perez
Siyanda Grey                                       Siyanda Grey
                                                           Ntabeni Dukisa

In the wing position it is also a tie as most of the players are the same. With van Breda improving and with Killian at the end of his career last year and with Perez pretty much a straight swap for Sampson I call this position a tie.  

Fullbacks:
SP Marais                                           Shakes Soyiswapi
Elric van Vuuren (SWD)                        Hansie Graaff
Shakes Soyiswapi

At fullback the 2014 SR squad is also better than the 2014 CC squad with basically a straight swap of SP for Hansie.  Hansie showed some promise when playing for the Griffons a few seasons back and was names the CC 1st division player of the year in 2012.  Then went to the Sharks where he struggled with injury and to get game time.  Since his arrival at the Kings he had a few opportunities to challenge for a starting spot but failed to deliver.  Lets hope he regains the form he had in 2012 (note he played at flyhalf then an might be his preferred position). 

COACHING STAFF 2013 vs 2014
                              2013                        2014
Director of rugby:   Solomons                 none
Head Coach:          Matt Sexton             Carlos Spencer
Forwards Coach:   Matt Sexton              Shaun Sowerby
Defence Coach:     Omar Mouneimne     Michael Horak

One should also keep in mind that the 2014 SR squad also had better coaches than the 2014 CC squad. In my opinion 'King' Carlos doesn't have enough experience as a head coach, Sowerby has almost no experience as a forward coach. I also have some questions regarding Horak as a defence coach as the Cheetahs weren't really known for their good defence when he was involved. 

With Solomons (with worlds of experience), Matt Sexton and Omar Mouneimne (highly rated defence coach) all involved in 2013 the 2013 SR squad definitely also has the advantage of better coaching staff.  

If I were involved at the Kings I would seriously be on the lookout for a Proper Director of rugby and head coach.  Nothing against Carlos as I would still keep him as the backline attacking coach.  

MY CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE 2 SQUAD COMPARISONS:

With some positions even and with the 2013 SR squad beating the 2014 CC squad in the frontrow, looseforward, scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback positions and with the 2013 squad also having better coaches I think it fair to say that in my opinion the 2013 SR squad is 20 - 30 % better (if not more) than the current 2014 CC squad and not the other way round as Cheeky claims.

KINGS YOUNGSTERS TO FACE THE STORM

The Southern Kings have opted to play a team of youngsters against the Stormers this coming Friday.

The average age of the starting lineup facing the Stormers this Saturday will be 22.6 (23.4 per forward / 21.7 backs) and the average age of the bench will be 23.3 (22 per forward / 25.5 per back).

This indicates that the Kings are committed to developing the youngsters in the region and this could serve as motivation for some youngsters to stay in the area especially with 2016 coming closer and hopeful Currie cup inclusion later this year.

Southern Kings team to take on the DHL Stormers on Friday: 7 February 2014
(age in brackets)

1. Brendon Olivier (21)
2. Albe de Swardt (23)
3. Charl du Plessis (26)
4. Steven Sykes (Captain) (29)
5. Rynier Bernardo (22)
6. Paul Schoeman (21)
7. Stephan Zaayman (20)
8. Devon Oosthuizen (25)

9. Sonwabo Majola
10. George Whitehead (Vice Captain) (24)
11. Eben Barnard (22)
12. Shane Gates (21)
13. Dwayne Jenner (23)
14. Sergeal Petersen (19)
15. Siviwe Soyizwapi (21)

Replacements:

16. JC Oberholzer (24)
17. Lizo Gqoboka (23)
18. Pieter Stemmet (21)
19. Stephan Greeff (24)
20. Thembelani Bholi (24)
21. Kevin Kaba (19)
22. Tyler Paul (19)

23. Jaco Grobler (21)
24. Ronnie Cooke (29)
25. Michael Killian (30)
26. Brian Skosana (22)

SPRINGBOKS - who are the future?

In the mid year tests before the Championship competition Heyneke Meyer was often asked why he isn't picking any youngsters and giving them a chance. I for one feel a Bok jersey isn't something just handed out but earned through great performances and consistency.  However, looking back here is a list of youngsters included in Springbok squads and you then get an idea of the squad Meyer is trying to build for the future.

FUTURE BOKS: (players who have already been involved in Bok setup)
(backline & looseforwards 24 and younger)
(tight five 25 & younger)

1: Coenie Oosthuisen (24) / Trevor Nyakane (24)
2: Scarra Ntubeni (22)
3: Lourence Adriaanse (25) / Frans Malherbe (22)
4: Eben Etsebeth (22)
5: Pieter-Steph du Toit (21)
6: Marcell Coetzee (22)
7: Siya Kolisi (22)
8: Arno Botha (21)
9: Piet van Zyl (24)
10: Johan Goosen (21) 
11:
12: Jan Serfontein (20)
13: JJ Engelbrecht (24) / Jaco Taute (22)
14: Willie le Roux (24)
15: Patrick Lambie (23)

Looking at the above team I believe that we have a pretty good base of players for the following 5 - 8 years and combined with some older players giving us another 2 - 4 years service with maybe few more youngsters coming through the systems in the future I think we should be OK till 2020 and Meyer has included many youngsters over his term and is building a team for the future without compromising the present.  

EP KINGS OPT FOR YOUNG SQUAD FOR 2014

KINGS HAVE OPTED FOR A YOUNG SQUAD:

I first posted this in November but since then some players have opted to leave the union and some players have joined (permanently or on loan). The average age of the players are now even lower than it was previously. When having a look at the names and ages of the players in the squad it is clear that the squad has lost a few 'big' names but have made up for experience with the exuberance of youth. 

AVERAGE AGES: (trial players not included in stats)
Average age of the squad: 23 years and 1 months

Average age of forwards (whole pack): 23 years & 6 month
Average age of tight five: 24 years and 4 months
           considering that your tight five on average matures at a later age this is a reasonably low average.
Average age of loose forwards: 22 years and 5 months

Average age of all backs:22 years and 4 months
Average age of halfbacks: 22 years and 2 months
Average age of centers: 23 years and 2 months
Average age of outside backs: 21 years and 8 months

SQUAD: (ages in brackets)

PROPS:
BG Uys (25)
Charl du Plessis (26)
Lizo Gqokoka (23)
Brenden Olivier (21)
Pieter Stemmet (21)
Simon Kerrod (21)

HOOKERS:
Albe de Swardt (23)
JC Oberholzer (24) [on trial]
Tabbie du Plessis (??) [on trial]
Dane van der Westhuizen (21)

LOCKS:
Steven Sykes (29)
Rynier Bernardo (22)
Darron Nell (33)
Samora Fihlani (28)
Thembelani Bholi (23)
Stefan Greeff (24)

LOOSE FORWARDS:
Tim Agaba (24)
Luke Watson (29)
Devon Oosthuisen (25)
Aidon Davis (19)
Stefan Willemse (21)
Paul Schoeman (20)
Siya Mangaliso (23)
Kuhle Sonkosi (21)
Claude Tshidibi (20)

SCRUMHALVES:
Jaco Grobler (21)
Kayle van Zyl (21)

FLYHALVES:
George Whitehead (24)
Ntabeni Dukisa (25)
Marlou van Niekerk (20)

CENTRES:
Shane Gates (21)
Ronnie Cooke (29)
Siyanda Grey (24)
Andile Jho (21)
Lonwabo Ntleki (21)
Dwayne Jenner (23)

WINGS:
Sergeal Petersen (19)
Michael Killian (29)
Eben Barnard (21)
Brian Skosana (21)
Ofentse Boloko (21)

FULLBACKS:
Shakes Soyizwapi (20)
Scott van Breda (21)

KINGS - WEEKEND BATTLE RESULTS 13/10/2013

After a weekend where the EP Kings competed in 3 different 1st Division Finals over three different age groups one is left with some mixed feelings.  The under 19 team managed to beat the Valke in their final 56 points to 40, the under 21 team managed to beat Boland 59 points to 19 as everything seemed to be going well till the Senior side dropped the ball and went down agonizingly against a determined and better drilled Pumas outfit 53 points to 30.  Both the junior teams now travel to Border next week to play i their promotion relegation matches and both teams are confident of coming away with a win.

KINGS SCORERS
EP Kings u19 vs Boland u19
Conversions   Selvyn Davids x5
Penalties        Selvyn Davids x2
Try                Khaya Malotana x3
Try                Mathew Luke Moore
Try                Selvyn Davids x3
Try                Sergeal Petersen x1

EP Kings u21 vs Valke u21
Conversion   Gavin Hauptfleisch x1
Conversion   Marlou van Niekerk x1
Conversion   Ruan Allerston x3
Penalty         Ruan Allerston x3
Try               Brenden Olivier x1
Try               Claude Tshidibi x1
Try               Dane van der Westhuyzen x1
Try               Ivan Ludick x1
Try               Siphesihle Qhamani Punguzwa x1
Try               Siphumelele Nkosikhona Petros Msutwana x1
Try               Siviwe Soyizwapi x1
Try               Sonkosi Kuhle x1

EP Kings - Senior Team
Conversion  Scott van Breda x3
Penalties      Scott van Breda x3
Try               Ntabeni Dukisa x1
Try               Kayle van Zyl x1
Penalty Try  x1
 

CURRENT CROP - FUTURE KINGS????

Looking to the future I decided to pick a team of players younger than 24 at the EP Kings to determine the foundation that we have to work on for the future (hopeing that we are able to keep them here).  This team will form the base on which a 2016 Super rugby squad will be built if the players remain.  The team is as follow (ages in brackets). 

15: Scott van Breda (21), Shakes Soyizwapi (20)
14: Siyanda Grey (24), Eben Barnard (21)
13: Selvyn Davids (19), Brian Skosana (21)
12: Shane Gates (21)
11: Sergeal Peterson (19)
10: George Whitehead (24), Marlou van Niekerk (20)
9: Kayle van Zyl (21) , Dwayne Kelly (21)
8: Tim Agaba (24)
7: Aidon Davis (19)
6: Stephan Zaayman (20), CJ Velleman (18)
5: Rynier Bernardo (22)
4: Stefan Willemse (21), Armand du Preez (20)
3: Brendon Olivier (21)
2: Dane van der Westhuizen (21), Albe de Swardt (23)
1: Lizo Gqoboka (23)
(players in BOLD have represented Kings in 1 or more games in 2013 Super rugby)

Some of the older guys moving into the twilight of their careers who can maybe give us another 2-3 years of service (hopefully more to create some squad depth), give the youngsters some guidance and maybe carry us into the 2016 season are as follow.
Steven Sykes (29)
Charl du Plessis (26)
Ronnie Cooke (29)
Michael Killian (29)
Luke Watson (29)
Andries Strauss (29)
From this list the leadership ability of Watson, Sykes and Strauss will be needed in guiding the youngsters through what will hopefully be a successful building period for the Kings.

Looking at the above team (youngsters and the seniors) I believe we have a decent base to build on. A few added signings (proper flyhalf & tight five should be first on our shopping list), maybe 2 or 3 more youngsters putting up their hands for selection, a few players from our franchise partners to bolster the squad and with 1 or 2 overseas players drafted into the squad the Kings should be ready and competitive come 2016.

The Kings should be looking to invest in the following players from the 1st division and if they are able to sign some of the names on this list I will be thrilled with the recruiting done by the Kings.
(All good players and still relatively young)
JW Bell (23) [fullback for Pumas]
JC Roos (23) [flyhalf for Pumas]
Coenie van Wyk (25) [flyhalf/fullback for Pumas]
Grant Kemp (24) [front row for SWD]
Luther Obi (20) [wing for Leopards]
BG Uys (25) [front row for Leopards]
Edgar Maratlule (25) [hooker for Leopards]

1st DIVISION - THE CREAM TO SCOOP

Now that the the 1st Division Curriecup group stages have been completed I took a look at the top performers (3 semi finals teams - not Kings) during the competition. They say cream always rises to the top so I had a look at who the young players have been that has risen to the top and showed their class during the 1st Division.

This team excludes Kings players as this list is compiled with the idea of scouting possible players to be signed (scooping the creme of the top) by the Kings to strengthen their squad to be more competitive in the Currie cup.  Since the Kings players are not included in this selections and with the Pumas ending top of the log the team is loaded with Puma players. Keep in mind that this article is merely for interest and it is unlikely that any of them these players are to be signed by the Kings.

I know that this is unlikely to happen as funds are required to obtain quality players and without the guarantee of Curriecup we do not really have anything to offer these players.   



THE CRITERIA:
1) As I would be looking to sign players for the future and to carry the franchise to and beyond the 2016 season the cut off for signing a player would be 25 years of age.  In some positions where players are pretty much the same quality age plays a major factor to consider.  Contracting players will have to be a minimum 2 year deal and if we can get a few of these guys to commit for 3 years it will be great.

2) Players coming from the Eastern Cape region will get preference.

THE TEAM:
After sifting the players through the above criteria I decided the following players would make my list of players to approach for possible contracts to create depth and strengthen our current squad.
15) JW Bell (age 23 - Pumas)
14) Luther Obi (age ??? - Leopards)
13) no one really impressed in this position
12) Stefan Watermeyer (age 25 - Pumas)
11) Rosco Spekman (age 24 - Pumas)
10) JC Roos (age 23 - Pumas)
9) Jaco Grobler (age 21 - Leopards)
8) no one really impressed in this position
7) Renaldo Bothma (age24 - Pumas)
6) SJ Niemand (age ??? - Leopards)
5) Schalk Oelofse (age 24 - SWD)
4) MB Lusaseni (age 24 - Leopards) - signed by Lions
3) Grant Kemp (age 24 - SWD)
2) Edgar Maratlule (age 25 - Leopards) or Frank Herne (age 23 - Pumas)
1) BG Uys (age 25 - Leopards)

Please keep in mind that 25 years of age was the cut off and there are obviously other players who would make the team if age was not a factor -  RW Kember, Carl Bezuidenhout, Coenie van Wyk, Alshaun Bok etc. etc.



Looking at the above list I am pretty upset that the Kings let Frank Herne go at the end of last season. From the above list of players I have heard that BG Uys & Jaco Grobler have signed with the Kings for the 2014 season.Its a good start but I would like to see at least 3 or 4 more names joining the current squad for next year.