Watson fit to lead Kings into battle
Luke Watson has been named at eighthman for the EP Kings' first Currie Cup Premier Division match in 12 years.
Luke Watson has been named at eighthman for the EP Kings' first Currie Cup Premier Division match in 12 years.
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will wear the Western Province No 4 jersey in their opening Currie Cup match against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
Juan de Jongh will captain Western Province in this year's Currie Cup with Pat Cilliers the vice-captain.
The Blue Bulls defeated the Pumas 46-38 in a highly entertaining friendly at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday.
The Free State Cheetahs ran in four tries to defeat the EP Kings 28-12 in their final warm-up match in Cradock on Friday.
Saru has asked teams not to pick their contracted Springboks at any stage of this year's Currie Cup.
The EP Kings and Pumas coaches look ahead to the Currie Cup Premier Division, which kicks off on 8 August.
Hooker-cum-flank Torsten van Jaarsveld will captain the Cheetahs in this year's Currie Cup.
Griquas regained their Currie Cup Premier Division status with a 57-12 win over SWD in the final round of qualifiers in George on Saturday.
In the penultimate round of Currie Cup qualifiers, Griquas ousted the Valke 40-25 in Kimberley, while there were also wins for the Leopards and the Griffons.