British & Irish Lions | Werner Kok set to flourish at 13

The British & Irish Lions battle in a re-match on Saturday evening at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria with Werner Kok set to start in the number 13 jersey.

The former Blitzbok and Sharks star was a revelation for the Durbanites on Wednesday evening.

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KOK WAS A HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE ON HIS OWN

Werner Kok was one of the stand-out performers in an otherwise underwhelming display by the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park.

The blonde-haired winger carried the ball with passion and unparalleled physicality. Breaking tackles at will and leaving defenders in his trail.

Kok was a highlight reel all by himself with his extremely high work rate evident throughout the encounter. He broke three tackles in a row, fending off and bouncing tacklers before sprinting down the touchline. This should have lead to a try but his inside pass to Manie Libbok was knocked on. It must be said that it was not the best pass from Kok as it was over Libbok’s head.

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Moments later Kok put in a bone-crunching hit on Owen Farrell, a moment to remember for the Sharkie. Farrell will no doubt be feeling the bruises from that hit!

Kok then produced a moment of magic in the second half when he started a counterattack in his half. He took the ball to the line where he majestically chipped and gathered the ball to break away into the Lions 22m line. This time, his passed reached a teammate but the Sharks. Unfortunately, went on to lose position yet again.

He was also a physical menace at the breakdown, cleaning out Lions forwards at will.

OUTSIDE CENTRE EPITOMISES HIS STRENGTHS

Kok will wear the number 13 jersey for the Sharks on Saturday evening. This will allow him to do more carrying, which he loves.

Kok carries a lot of ball and is always looking for work. The outside centre birth allows him to make a lot more tackles as well, an area he flourishes in.

The former Blitzbokke is excellent on defense as being a standout player for the Blitbokke 7’s this is what he is used to as there are fewer defenders and far more space. Expect Kok to carry a lot of a ball in a position that suits his strengths more naturally as a player.

Number 13 requires a physical ball carrier who is also highly skilled. Kok carries the ball with tremendous power and is a very hard man to bring down. This move may prove to be a masterstroke by coach Sean Everitt who is giving an opportunity to several players that did not start on Wednesday evening.

These changes include: Anthony Volmink, Marnus Potgieter, Murray Koster, Lionel Cronje, Mpilo Gumede, Dylan Richardson, Reniel Hugo, Le Roex Roets, Wiehan Herbst and Kerron van Vuuren.

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The Sharks take on the British & Irish Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 18:00 SA Time.

15 Anthony Volmink, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Werner Kok, 12 Murray Koster, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu 

Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Jeandre Labuschagne, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Jeremy Ward