Kings bristle for all out combat against Blues to lift fans’ spirits

Munster of a showing last week could pave way for victory in PE

THERE was plenty of fighting talk coming from fiery Southern Kings loose-forward Andisa Ntsila ahead of his team’s Pro14 clash against Cardiff Blues tomorrow.

Despite their poor record of 18 defeats from 19 starts, Ntsila believes the Kings have the ability to take on any team and they will be looking to prove that at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Ntsila will undergo a late fitness test today after suffering an ankle strain against Munster and he could start from the bench against Cardiff. “Playing for the Kings every game is a tough one,” said Ntsila.

“We prepare well for the best and we expect positive outcomes. But we also prepare for the worst conditions on the field.

“The guys are confident, specially after the showing against Munster [last week], who are a highly-rated Pro14 side.

“We have the idea that if we put our minds to it and focus for 80 minutes of rugby we can take any team on,” he added.

“I think the Kings strength is with ball in hand and against Munster last week we showed that.

“We were 5m from our own line and we scored a try with two guys and a line of red Munster jerseys in front of them.

“Our skill is identifying space under pressure and shifting the ball well.

“Our brand of rugby here is quite different and I think it comes from the management staff that we work with. We can also match up to physicality and our forwards pack has not been performing too badly in the competition.”

After tomorrow’s clash against Cardiff, the Kings will play their final game of the season against the Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth on April 28.

“We are looking to finish off the season on a high in our last two games as a group,” said Ntsila.

“Guys might be going to different areas and we might not play again together so we are looking to finish well. We need good analysis on the weak points of our next opponents Cardiff.

“We will work on our strengths to penetrate them, whether it is through the middle or on the outside. We know that their centres shut and come up very well as a line.

“But there is always space on the field and we have to find it and make the right decision at the right time.”

Because of a flyhalf crisis, Ntabeni Dukisa is expected wear the number 10 jersey against Cardiff.

Dukisa is pole position to get the nod after flyhalves were injured and others were signed by rival teams.

The latest setback for the Kings was the groin injury Martin du Toit suffered during his team’s clash against Munster.

Du Toit was included in the side after Kurt Coleman fractured his left lower leg against Italian outfit Benetton.

Earlier in the season Pieter-Steyn de Wet left to join to Griquas and Benhard Janse van Rensburg went to the Cheetahs.

The Kings will also be keen to shore up their defence which has leaked 108 tries this season.

After the Cardiff clash, the Kings will complete their season with the match against the Cheetahs.

The Kings will name their team today.