Davids look to Kings slaying fiery Goliath

SUNDAY’S clash against the Lions in Johannesburg is a great chance for the Southern Kings to show how they have grown in Super Rugby this season, says head coach Deon Davids.

The Kings are facing one of their toughest tests of the season at Ellis Park against the runaway Africa Conference 2 leaders.

After winning three games on the trot, the Kings went down against the Brumbies last week and they are keen to bounce back.

The rampant Lions have won 11 of the 12 matches they have played this season scoring 56 sparking tries in the process.

“We are very excited about the Lions game. It will be a great challenge and opportunity and the guys are really looking forward to it,” said Davids.

“This is Super Rugby and you want to compete against the best and we are now going to compete against one of the best teams in the competition.

“It is a great chance for the players to prove their worth and for the team to show how we have grown in this competition.”

Davids said his team’s preparations will not be hampered by the call-up of Chris Cloete, Andisa Ntsila, Lionel Cronje and Makazole Mapimpi to this week’s Springbok training camp.

“The guys know the systems we have and obviously we will look at doing one or two things differently. But within our systems they will slot in easily when they get back.”

Davids will name his team on Friday and he has many options on the table.

Utility back Malcolm Jaer (knee injury) and number eight Ruan Lerm (ankle injury) rejoined the team’s full training sessions this week.

“Malcolm is back from injury and is looking really good and he is someone to look at,” said Davids.

“At scrumhalf a player like Stefan Ungerer has been doing well in the SuperSport Cup and he is someone we are looking at.

“Ntabeni Dukisa has grown in the past few weeks and is someone who deserves an opportunity at some point.

“Then we have Mzamo Majola at loosehead who is with us in the group and we can also look at.

“There are also Wilhelm van der Sluys and Chris Cloete who did not play against the Brumbies and who we need to take a look at.

“Andisa Ntsila is with the Springboks, but he is still struggling with a bit of shoulder injury. So we will have to revisit Ruan Lerm’s position. He is training with us but we are not sure where we stand with him at this point in time,” he said.