Kings aim to change landscape with pace

SEARING pace and firepower in the back division could be one of the biggest strengths of the Southern Kings in Super Rugby this season.

That is the verdict of backline coach Vuyo Zangqa as the Kings prepare for their opening match against the Jaguares at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 25.

“I definitely think the backs will be the strength of the team in terms of the players and combinations we have,” said Zangqa.

“But I don’t want to take away from the forwards. I think our forwards will be fitter this year and get around the park quite a lot. We just want to polish now and make sure we are ready for the Jaguares.

“We have very good speed at the back and, depending on what we will do in terms of our selection, we will have one of the quickest back threes in the tournament.

“We want to make sure our combinations are right in the midfield so we can give those outside backs some free space. Our forwards will be more fit this year and be able to get around the park more.”

Zangqa was one of the stars when SA won the Sevens World Series in the 2008-2009 season, but was forced into an early retirement at the age of 29 after a car accident.

Asked if the Kings could fare better than they did last year when they could win only two of the 15 matches they played, Zangqa said: “We as the coaching staff have not put a number to what we want to achieve. We just want to be better than whatever happened last year.

“We are looking at one or two things we are bringing in to make sure the squad is comfortable and they do not feel the pressure in terms of the performance from last year’s team. The Kings will take it game for game and hopefully from there we will get the results we want.

“We have got a couple experienced guys at the back. We have Waylon Murray and Lionel Cronje, who are seniors, and also Louis Schreuder. So we have a good mix and we have some youngsters that we will be bringing in.

“The Kings want make sure we get the right combinations on the field because then we will be able to deliver some good performances.”

Zangqa said the team were focusing on their opening match against the Jaguares.

“As coaching staff we just want every player on the field to give 100%. It is going to be a long competition we want to give every player a chance to make the starting lineup. We want to be competitive and tick our boxes.”

The Kings coach feels that newcomers the Jaguares and Sunwolves will be better this season.

“Every tournament and every minute that players get on the field is experience in the bank.”

The Kings have won both their Super Rugby warm-up matches.

They started with a 28-10 win over Border in East London and then beat SWD Eagles 42-24 in their second match in Port Elizabeth.