Even though a lot of us do speak on a regular basis in our WhatsApp groups and via video call, nothing quite compares to the changeroom banter. Even the inside jokes we share on the field or just working hard and spending day to day with your mates.
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Every other day Isuzu Southern Kings team doctor, Dr Gershwin Kortje’s focus is primarily on the wellbeing of the team’s players, but that has changed over the past few days. With the global community facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Kortje has dusted off his white coat, and put himself in the frontline to focus on the medical needs of the South African community during this trying period.
The suspension of the 2019/20 season of the Guinness PRO14 is now on an indefinite basis due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The board of Celtic Rugby DAC met by teleconference this week and agreed upon a strict list of criteria that would enable the Championship to recommence.
The current Guinness PRO14 season has been suspended in response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. The PRO14 is an international league. Cross border travel is inevitable and that brings with it unique challenges.
The Isuzu Southern Kings were unable to make the most of their home ground advantage in their Guinness PRO14 clash against Connacht in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, and had to settle for a disappointing 29-19 defeat despite the visitors receiving an early red card.
Isuzu Southern Kings flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku will earn his first starting berth when the Port Elizabeth-based side takes on Connacht Rugby in a Guinness PRO14 Round 13 match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, March 1.
The Isuzu Southern Kings fell short in their second tour match in the Guinness PRO14 on Sunday night, with the men from Port Elizabeth going down by 36-17 against the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli. The hosts outscored the visitors six tries to two.
Isuzu Southern Kings No8 Elrigh Louw will make a return when the side takes on Scarlets in a Guinness PRO14 Round 12 encounter at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Sunday, February 23. The talented Louw missed the Kings match against Munster last week due to a suspension.
Munster proved too powerful for the Isuzu Southern Kings in their Guinness PRO14 clash at Irish Independent Park in Cork on Friday night, scoring 10 tries to none for a convincing 68-3 victory. The Isuzu Southern Kings were reduced to 14 men as early as the seventh minute.
Edmund Ludick will earn his Isuzu Southern Kings and Guinness PRO14 debut with a starting berth while Luyolo Dapula will also make his first appearance off the bench when the Port Elizabeth-based side takes on Munster Rugby in a Guinness PRO14 Round 11 clash at the Irish Independent Park in Cork on Friday.
Friendships and creating memories have been the highlight of Ruaan Lerm’s career spanning three years and 49 matches so far at the Isuzu Southern Kings. The 27-year-old Isuzu Southern Kings No8 is on the verge of playing in his 50th match for the Port Elizabeth-based side, having joined the team in their 2017 Super Rugby season.
While wary of the tough two Guinness PRO14 matches that await in Europe, Isuzu Southern Kings interim head coach, Robbi Kempson, is also excited about the new blood emerging from the Port Elizabeth-based side.