THE EP Kings continue to rotate their players, making all of 11 changes to their starting line-up for their Absa Currie Cup First Division fixture against Border in East London on Friday.
Director of rugby Alan Solomons has employed a rotation policy this season – and although he is not saying it, he must be confident the Kings have enough firepower in their squad to overcome any challenge their neighbours may present.
One look at the log suggests Solomons is right. Border have yet to win a match in the competition after 10 rounds while the Kings are unbeaten.
The positive side of rotation is that if any player is injured, he can be replaced with someone who has enjoyed game time.
The one drawback is perhaps a lack of continuity, which surfaced in their match against the Falcons.
The Kings looked disjointed in the first 40 minutes.
But they managed to get into their stride in the second half and dominated proceedings.
"It was a bit similar to our match against SWD," captain Luke Watson said. "We had a few crucial moments, lost lineouts and opportunities like that. And the nature of the Falcons is if you give them an opportunity to get their tails up and confidence going, they thrive on it.
"We made it difficult for ourselves but in the last 30-35 minutes we were able to radically change and really come back and put on a decent score.
"I don't think it was a pitching-up-in-the-right-frame-of-mind issue.
"I think it was more execution. There had been some rotation in some key positions and some guys hadn't played in a while.
At halftime the coaches took us by the ear and told us exactly what they wanted in the second half and we were able to produce the result." The EP Kings team is:
Michael Killian; Paul Perez, Tiger Mangweni (v-capt), Wayne Stevens, Jongi Nokwe; Wesley Dunlop, Scott Mathie; Luke Watson (capt), Wimpie van der Walt, Devin Oosthuizen, Rynier Bernado, Darron Nell, Clint Newland, Hannes Franklin, Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: Frank Hearne, Charl du Plessis, Wayne van Heerden, Mpho Mbiyozo, Danie Faasen, Falie Oelschig, Siyanda Grey.
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