Kings determined to conquer Lions threat
Geldenhuys steps up to captain side
SUNDAY Super Rugby premieres in South Africa tomorrow and the Southern Kings want to mark the occasion by pulling off a giant-killing act against the Lions at Ellis Park.
The Kings are aware of the huge challenge awaiting them in Johannesburg but they have been emboldened by their recent resurgence.
Last week the Kings had been bidding for a fourth straight Super Rugby win but they were ambushed by an efficient Brumbies outfit who ran out 19-10 winners.
There are no easy games in Super Rugby but playing the Lions at Ellis Park will present the Kings with probably their toughest match of the season.
Last week the Lions thrashed the Bulls 51-14 and this time it will be the Kings who attempt to tame the runaway Africa Conference 2 leaders.
The rampant Lions have won 11 of the 12 matches they have played this season, scoring 56 sparkling tries in the process.
Tomorrow the biggest challenge for the Kings will be to try and disrupt the fast tempo of the Lions which traps their opponents on the back foot and keeps the scoreboard ticking over.
The Lions haven’t been beaten in Super Rugby at Ellis Park since going down to the Hurricanes on April 30 last season.
There was a major setback for the Kings on the eve of the clash when their inspirational skipper Lionel Cronje had to pull out of the team because of a jaw injury.
This means that experienced prop Ross Geldenhuys will lead the team and Pieter-Steyn De Wet will slot in at flyhalf in Cronje’s place.
It was discovered that Cronje had a small crack in his jaw which was plated on Thursday.
Fiery loose forward Andisa Ntsila will be rested this weekend after sustaining a shoulder injury which will keep him out of action for a week.
Chris Cloete will make a return to the starting line-up after being sidelined with a concussion for the match against the Brumbies.
“It is a blow to lose our captain Lionel after we only found out when he returned from the Springbok camp,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
“This is a great opportunity now for Pieter-Steyn de Wet, who will be getting his first start. We do believe that he is a capable player able to fill Lionel’s boots.”
Lions head coach Johan Ackermann said his team are taking the challenge posed by the Kings very seriously.
“They’ve beaten some top sides this year and they’re playing with tremendous confidence,” Ackermann said. Tomorrow’s Kings team: Southern Kings: Malcolm Jaer, Alshaun Bock, Berton Klaasen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Makazole Mapimpi, PieterSteyn de Wet, Louis Schreuder (v/c), Tyler Paul, Stefan Willemse, Chris Cloete, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Irne Herbst, Ross Geldenhuys (capt), Martin Bezuidenhout, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: Kurt Haupt, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Mzamo Majola, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Thembelani Bholi, Stefan Ungerer, Ntabeni Dukisa, Stokkies Hanekom
Kick-off: 2.30pm.