Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will become the 40th venue to host a GUINNESS PRO14 fixture when Leinster are hosted by the Southern Kings in the competition’s first cross-Hemisphere clash on South African soil.
GUINNESS PRO14: Saturday, September 16
SOUTHERN KINGS (7th, Con B) v LEINSTER (3rd, Con B), Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 2.15pm local time/1.15pm Irish time (live SuperSport 1/TG4)
Team News: Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced the team to play the Southern Kings in Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO14 game against the Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Cullen also confirmed that Jamison Gibson-Park and Isa Nacewa returned to Dublin yesterday and have successfully applied for a visa from the South African Embassy. The two players will rejoin the squad on Sunday in Cape Town in preparation for the round 4 game against the Toyota Cheetahs next Friday evening.
Cullen has been able to call upon the services of a number of Ireland internationals that have returned from injury. Joey Carbery takes up the full-back spot for his first competitive outing of the season, with Adam Byrne on the right wing and Dave Kearney also returning from injury to make his first PRO14 start of the season on the left.
Noel Reid has recovered from a hand injury to start in his first game of the season with Rory O’Loughlin outside him in the 13 jersey. Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne are the half-back combination for the second week in a row.
Up front, Ed Byrne makes his first start in Leinster colours at loosehead prop. The Carlow native has had to overcome numerous injuries which kept him out of the game between October 2014 and February 2017 but he will now earn his 10th cap from the start. The 24-year-old made his provincial debut in February 2014.
Beside Byrne is Sean Cronin at hooker and Andrew Porter at tighthead. Ross Molony is involved for the first time this season at lock and, beside him, James Ryan gets his first ever start in Leinster colours having won two Ireland caps during the summer tour to the USA and Japan.
Rhys Ruddock will captain the province from the blindside flanker position, with openside Jordi Murphy making his competitive return from the ACL injury he suffered against New Zealand last November. Jack Conan starts at number 8 for the second week in a row, while Cian Healy will win his 175th Leinster cap if sprung from the bench.
Meanwhile, Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has mostly kept faith with the team that started the 32-10 defeat away to Galway as they prepare to welcome Leinster for this historic PRO14 encounter. Hooker Michael Willemse continues as captain with centre Luzuko Vulindlu the vice-captain.
Scrum half Rudi van Rooyen replaces the benched Godlen Masimla in the only change to the back-line, while injured prop Rossouw de Klerk makes way for Luvyo Pupuma who is rewarded for his try-scoring cameo at the Sportsground last week.
Stephan Greeff takes over from Jurie van Vuuren in the engine room, while Petrus Strauss and Martin Dreyer has been brought onto the bench. Match tickets are on sale at all Ticket Pro outlets as well as online at www.ticketpros.co.za – prices start from as little as R50 per ticket
SOUTHERN KINGS: Masixole Banda; Yaw Penxe, Berton Klaasen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Sibusiso Sithole; Kurt Coleman, Rudi van Rooyen; Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse (capt), Luvuyo Pupuma, Stephan Greeff, Dries van Schalkwyk, Khaya Majola, Victor Sekekete, Andisa Ntsila.
Replacements: Stephan Coetzee, Petrus Strauss, Martin Dreyer, Bobby de Wee, Siyabulela Mdaka, Godlen Masimla, Ntabeni Dukisa/Oliver Zono, Jacques Nel.
LEINSTER: Joey Carbery; Adam Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin, Noel Reid, Dave Kearney; Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath; Ed Byrne, Sean Cronin, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock (capt), Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan.
Replacements: James Tracy, Cian Healy, Michael Bent, Mick Kearney, Josh van der Flier, Nick McCarthy, Cathal Marsh, Jordan Larmour.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
Television Match Official: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Southern Kings to win: 13/2; Draw: 22/1; Leinster to win: 1/10
Pre-Match Quotes: Luke McGrath (Leinster) – “Like (Ireland’s tour to) the USA and Japan, there is the element of the unknown regarding the challenge that awaits us over in South Africa. We’re playing the Kings tomorrow and the Cheetahs the following Friday. Both teams have shown a lot of threats throughout their last couple of games so we know how difficult it will be, especially over in unknown territories to us.
“I’m somewhat familiar with the country itself as I had my Under-20 World Cup in South Africa in 2012. We spent three weeks in Cape Town. A memorable time, made even more special as we beat South Africa in the opening game but it obviously woke the beast inside them as they duly went on to win the competition!
“I remember how rugby-mad the whole country was, they really get behind their teams so we’ll definitely be heading into some loud atmospheres. I also feel this will be a great opportunity for the squad to come together even more. These tours away build stronger relationships off the field. It should be a positive experience for us all as long as we get two performances and two wins to match.”
Deon Davids (Southern Kings) – “It’s great to be back on home soil and we are looking forward to the game against Leinster on Saturday. We plan on giving everything we have to entertain the fans and we’re hoping they turn out in large numbers to cheer us on.”
Top Scorers – 2017/18 GUINNESS PRO14: Southern Kings – Points; Kurt Coleman, Berton Klaasen, Luvuyo Pupuma, Yaw Penxe 5 each; Tries: Berton Klaasen, Luvuyo Pupuma, Yaw Penxe 1 each, Leinster – Points: Ross Byrne 27; Tries: Jamison Gibson-Park, Jordan Larmour, Dan Leavy, Cathal Marsh, James Tracy, Sean Cronin, Barry Daly, Nick McCarthy 1 each
2017/18 TEAM FORM: Southern Kings – Played 2, Lost 2, 0 Points; L 57-10 v Scarlets (away), L 32-10 v Connacht (away); Leinster – Played 2, Won 2, 10 Points; W 39-16 v Dragons (away), W 37-9 v Cardiff Blues (home)
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
N/A
MATCH FACTS:
– Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth becomes the 40th different venue to host a GUINNESS PRO14 encounter, and the first in South Arica
– The Southern Kings have lost their last three matches since beating the Bulls 31-30 in Pretoria in Super Rugby in July
– The Kings’ most recent victory in Port Elizabeth was 35-32 against the Sharks on May 13
– Leinster have kicked off their PRO14 campaign with maximum points but have not started a Championship season with wins in their first three matches since 2001/02
– The Leinstermen’s only defeat in their last six away games in the Championship was 17-13 to Ulster in Belfast in round 22 last season
– The two sides have never met before
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