New beginnings may bring in good fortune for Kings

IT will be a new venue, coupled with new-look team and captain for the Southern Kings when they run out to do battle against Irish outfit Ulster at Kwazakhele’s Wolfson Stadium tomorrow.

After seven consecutive defeats the Kings are hoping the new surroundings, coupled with partisan home support, will spark a change in their fortunes.

Creative former Border Bulldog star Oliver Zono will start at flyhalf after Martin du Toit was ruled out of the clash after sustaining a concussion against Glasgow last week.

Du Toit’s absence means Zono has been elevated from the bench and Kurt Coleman comes into the matchday squad as a replacement.

With regular skipper Michael Willemse not available because of an abdominal strain, experienced prop Schalk Ferreira has been promoted to captain.

Other changes see Yaw Penxe starting at fullback in the place of Masixole Banda, while Michael Makase starts at wing in Penxe’s position as the Kings bid for a maiden Pro14 win.

“I have seen Oliver grow over the past few weeks in terms of slotting into our systems and he is starting to do things with confidence and becoming a better communicator,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said. “He is a threat with ball in hand and he likes to attack the advantage line. Oliver is also able to quickly sum up when you have mismatches in the defensive line.

“Those qualities and his X-factor like lightning speed off the mark, and his ability to slide into space, are the strengths that make him stand out when he plays.

“We would like to see those qualities come out against UIster. Obviously you have less time and space to do it at this level and you have to get used to the pressure.

“The Kings have a responsibility to ensure that we work hard to get a result, We also want to create opportunities and grow the depth and experience in the squad.

“The only way to do that is to work with guys in training and to expose them to these situations and to walk the path with them going forward.

“We all want to win, and you get a bit impatient to see results. But I am very clear about where we are and what we need to do and what our challenges are.”

Davids said he had been impressed at how Penxe had performed in training when placed in the fullback position. “Yaw was originally picked at a fullback for the SA U20 team, but he was moved to the wing. He has played fullback at school and we have let him run at that position in training. I am excited to see him play at fullback specially in broken play,” he said. — DDC