Photo by Riaan Trosee/Speedshots.co.za
The Isuzu Southern Kings will have something to prove this week after going down 68-3 against Munster in their last match, and although they have never won against the Scarlets, the fact that two of their four defeats were by seven points or less will serve as some encouragement for Robbie Kempson’s young team.
The defence will be a key aspect for the Port Elizabeth side this weekend to keep alive hopes of creating an upset as they have conceded the most points and tries in the competition up to now.
No 8 Elrigh Louw will make a return, the 20-year-old loose-forward served a one-week suspension he was handed for a dangerous tackle in the match against the Toyota Cheetahs earlier this month. Louw will this weekend return to the starting XV in the only personnel change to the forward pack that did duty in Cork a week ago.
Bobby de Wee makes way for Louw as he starts this weekend’s match on the bench, as Ruaan Lerm, who earned his 50th cap playing at No 8 last week, shifts to the blindside flank.
The experienced Howard Mnisi has been included as the starting inside centre this weekend where he will form an exciting midfield partnership with the equally experienced Sibusiso Sithole. Erich Louw, who wore the No 12 jersey a week ago, shifts to left-wing as Eddie Ludick, who made his debut last weekend, moves to provide cover from the bench.
The versatile Courtney Winnaar has also been handed a starting berth – this time at fullback, where he replaces Andell Loubser. Also returning from a four-week suspension is Pieter Scholtz. He will provide front row cover from the bench.
“Training conditions have been difficult – very windy, lots of rain and obviously a lot of flooding in Wales at this point in time. The guys have tried to get out as much as they can to get used to local conditions,” interim Head Coach, Robbi Kempson, said.
“Hopefully, we can get our forwards to match them up front, and put one or two things we have put in place, specifically for this game, into play.
“Scarlets, as you’d expect, is an exceptionally good attacking side. With a guy like Brad Mooar as the head coach, you’d expect that kind of game from all his experience from the Crusaders. We’ll expect a game that’s played at a high tempo.”
Scarlets: 15. Angus O'Brien, 14. Corey Baldwin, 13. Kieron Fonotia, 12. Paul Asquith, 11. Steff Evans, 10. Dan Jones, 9. Kieran Hardy, 8. Uzair Cassiem, 7. Josh Macleod, 6. Aaron Shingler, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Tevita Ratuva, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Taylor Davies, 1. Phil Price. Replacements: 16. Ifan Phillips, 17. Dylan Evans, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Steve Cummins, 20. Dan Davis, 21. Dane Blacker, 22. Ryan Conbeer, 23. Tom Rogers.
Isuzu Southern Kings: 15. Courtney Winnaar, 14. Christopher Hollis, 13. S'bura Sithole, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Erich Cronje, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Elrigh Louw, 7. Ruaan Lerm, 6. Lusanda Badiyana, 5. JC Astle (Capt), 4. Jerry Sexton, 3. Rossouw de Klerk, 2. Jacques du Toit, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Alandre van Rooyen, 17. Xandre Vos, 18. Pieter Scholtz, 19. Aston Fortuin, 20. Bobby de Wee, 21. Thembelani Bholi, 22. Josh Allderman, 23. Edmund Ludik.