Great opportunity for players says Coach Barend Pieterse

Ahead of the EP Kings clash with the Cheetahs Head Coach Barend Pieterse said:

“Eight games in three days always meant that this would be a squad exercise with two teams rotating but it has also been an opportunity for players and some of those who appeared against Griquas have earned another chance.

“This might have been all doom and gloom as a challenge but it has been far from that. The players’ attitude has been magnificent – no negativity at all – and it has actually been good to be on the road as a squad.

“The players for tomorrow’s match drove up to Bloem on Wednesday and as the majority of them are young and making their way they have really enjoyed the experience.

“Twelve of the team who started against WP regain their places – with JC Greyling and Dylan Pieterse being the two to play their third match in eight days – while one of two injuries have given other players another chance.

“Hannes Huishamen – who only joined us on Monday – deserves another chance while Tazz Fuzani is still injured while Pieter-Steyn de Wet gets a start at ten as Lungelo Goza has a groin injury.

“We have been making progress and there are certain areas where we are improving every week and there are certain areas where we still need to work. What is costing us most of the time is the little lapses in concentration that get converted into points against when we have put ourselves into good positions in a number of matches.

“It’ll be a nice challenge to go back to my old province and face some of the people who coached me! The Cheetahs are doing well so it’ll be another great opportunity for our players.”

EP vs Cheetahs

1. Justin Forwood
2. Mike Willemse(VC)
3. Vukile Sofisa
4. Dylan Pieterse
5. Sebastian Ferreira
6. Vince Jobo
7. Etienne Oosthuizen
8. Christiaan De Bruin
9. Ricky Schroeder (Captain)
10. Pieter-Steyn de Wet
11. Sampie Mastriet
12. Berton Klaasen
13. JC Greyling
14. Siviwe Soyizwapi
15. Johann Tromp

Reserves

16. Martin Bezuidenhout
17. Barend Potgieter
18. Hannes Huishamen
19. Brandon Brown
20. Vian van der Watt
21. Kobus Marais
22. Ganfried May