Banda: Kings must shift gear
The Isuzu Southern Kings must improve their defensive play and their ability to stop mauls if they want to tame Guinness Pro14 champions Leinster on Sunday, Kings fullback Masixole Banda said.
Despite being on the losing side against Scarlets last week, Banda still managed to steal the show against the Welsh outfit.
The diminutive No 15, scored a brilliant try, engineered another and kicked four conversions and two penalties in a thrilling Pro14 clash at the Madibaz Stadium.
It came as no surprise when the inventive Banda was named Man of the Match.
It took the Kings two minutes to register the first points against Scarlets after the effervescent Banda danced his way through the Welsh defence to score a brilliant solo try.
It was Banda who was in the thick of the action when the Kings scored their second try after 21 minutes.
Banda kicked ahead and wing Yaw Penxe collected and dived in under the posts to put the Kings into a healthy 15-3 lead.
“I enjoy my attacking specially when I have ball in hand. That is when I get excited, because I know I have quick feet and speed,” Banda said.
“I also like to create chances for the outside players. Now we have to improve on our mistakes where we missed tackles against Scarlets.
“We also have to improve our stopping of mauls. That is one of the reasons we lost.”
Meanwhile, the Kings welcomed the arrival of scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer from the Pumas and prop Nicolaas “NJ” Oosthuizen (Griquas) on Monday to bolster their squad.
“We are happy to have Ungerer and Oosthuizen joining the team this week,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
“Given the length of the Pro14 season and how tough the competition is, it is important that we have depth in our squad.”
Ungerer is keen to make his presence felt at the Kings after an earlier stint with the team in Super Rugby.
“I’m excited to be part of an international competition like the Pro14,” Ungerer said.
Oosthuizen will be an added boost for the Kings front row with his versatility which sees him able to play at both loosehead and tighthead prop.