Kings plan on re-writing history
The Regent Boland Cavaliers will go into Friday’s Absa Currie Cup First Division Final buoyed by the knowledge that they easily beat the EP Kings in their last encounter, three weeks ago also in Wellington.
However, that game belongs to history and both teams have said they are ready for this clash, at 4pm (SA, CAT, GMT+2) at the Boland Stadium.
According to Kings coach Alan Solomons, what happened in Wellington on 23 September, when Boland won 49-15, will not be on the minds of his players this weekend.
“I don't think there will be any scarring (from that match),” Solomons said.
A yellow card to Kings loose forward Jacques Engelbrecht cost his team dearly on that day. When he was sent to the sin bin in the 66th minute, the Cavaliers were leading by 21-15.
When Engelbrecht returned 10 minutes later, his side had almost been knocked out, with Boland scoring three converted tries to lead 42-15. To add insult to injury, Cavaliers wing Danwell Demas scored his fourth try late in the game to put the final nail in the Kings’ coffin.
Solomons added: "The big points difference in that game only came in the last 12 or so minutes, when we played basically with 14 men. We see it in perspective and understand it. That game could have gone either way.”
Because of injury to regular skipper Luke Watson as well as his replacement from last week Darron Nell, Solomons has named Falie Oelschig as captain for the final.
“The team worked very hard throughout the season to get here and it’s great to be rewarded with a final at our home ground,” said Eloff, who named an unchanged team from the one that won their semi-final last weekend.
“We’ve prepared very well for this game against the Kings and the players are positive – we’re all looking forward to Friday’s game.
“Yes, we know it’s going to be very tough and the team that wants the victory the most will probably end up winning it. The team that give their all on the day, will come out on top.”
Both Boland and the Kings have won nine from their ten league fixtures, only losing their away fixtures against each other. They have dominated the Absa Currie Cup First Division and are worthy finalists after comfortable semifinal victories last weekend.
Teams:
Regent Boland Cavaliers: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Danwell Demas, 13 Cornal Hendricks, 12 PJ Vermeulen, 11 Brendon April, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Bolla Conradie (captain), 8 Zandre Jordaan, 7 Junior Bester, 6 Milroy Isaacs, 5 Grant le Roux, 4 Ligtoring Landman, 3 Eugene Butterworth, 2 Clemen Lewis, 1 Janro van Niekerk.
Replacements: 16 Ashton Constant, 17 Charl du Plessis, 18 Henjo van Niekerk, 19 Thor Halvorsen, 20 Neil Papier, 21 Jonathan Franke, 22 PJ van Zyl.
EP Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Andile Witbooi, 13 Joe Breytenbach, 12 Jaco Bekker, 11 Norman Nelson, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Falie Oelschig (captain), 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Mpho Mbiyozo, 6 Devin Oosthuizen, 5 Ross Kennedy, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: Ronnie Uys, Bobby Dyer, Barend Pieterse, Boetie Brits, Danie Faasen, George Whitehead, Tiger Mangweni.