Kings bank on Treviso feeling blue
Late switch means the Italian side will face tough run-in
ICY European weather conditions, which caused the cancellation of some Pro14 matches earlier this month, could work in favour of the Southern Kings.
The Kings’ next opponents Benetton Treviso, instead of having a three-week break before travelling to PE, must play a rescheduled game against Cardiff Blues tomorrow.
The Kings will face Benetton in round 18 of the competition at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on March 24.
Benetton’s game against Cardiff Blues, scheduled for March 2, was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions in Cardiff and the cancellation of Benetton’s flight to Wales.
After consultation among Pro14 Rugby and the clubs involved, it was been agreed to reschedule the fixture which will be played at Cardiff Arms Park.
This means the Italians will face a much shorter turnaround time because of the rescheduling.
After being given a week off after they thrashed the Dragons 45-13, the Kings returned to training on Monday to prepare for the Italians.
Kings head coach Deon Davids will be hoping the three-week break between the Dragons and Benetton matches revitalises his team.
Prior to the break, the Kings played matches on four consecutive Fridays against Ulster, the Ospreys and Leinster on their European tour before returning to SA to face the Dragons.
When the Kings played Benetton in the first round of the competition last year, they slumped to a heavy 31-3 defeat.
Benetton scored four tries in the match with two coming for wing Angelo Esposito, one in each half.
The other tries for the home side came from number eight Marco Barbini and replacement Cherif Traore who scored the bonus point try at the final whistle.
While the Kings are stranded at the bottom of the log with just nine points from seven games, Benneton have accumulated 39 points thanks to eight wins.
Kings skipper Michael Willemse has urged his team to continue the good form they showed when they thrashed the Dragons 45-13.
“The entire team stuck their hands up against the Dragons and I am very proud of them. But it does not stop here. We need to carry on for the last four games of the season.”
With four matches left in the competition, the Kings will be hoping the Dragons victory sparks a late revival. The Kings’ remaining games are against Benetton Treviso (March 24), Munster (April 7), Cardiff Blues (April 14) and the Cheetahs (April 27).