Kings take aim to beat Connacht
Struggling side looking to ‘target’ PRO14 game against Irish outfit
Connacht will have a target on their chests and be caught in the cross-hairs when the Isuzu Southern Kings take aim at the Irish outfit in a Guinness PRO14 clash at the Madibaz Stadium on Sunday.
This week the word target was being bandied around by the Kings as they prepare to pull the trigger on the Galway-based side.
Captain J C Astle and backline coach Chumani Booi both used the “T” word as they prepare for what should be a hard-fought showdown. After four consecutive defeats, the pressure is on the Kings to ambush the Irishmen.
“We are looking to target this. We have had two weeks of rest, so the guys are feeling good and fresh,” Astle said.
Booi also put emphasis on the “T” word. “It is a home game for us and we will be targeting it and hopefully it will be our second win of the season.”
Narrow defeats in their previous games against Scarlets and Leinster has brought fresh hope that the Kings can register a much-needed victory.
So far the struggling Bay side have just a solitary win after eight starts.
Connacht arrive in Port Elizabeth with four wins to their name and will be hunting for the points needed to keep them in the race for the end-ofseason playoffs.
In their last outing, the Galway side ran out easy 33-12 winners over the struggling Dragons, and they will be hoping to maintain that form.
Kings head coach Deon Davids has made five changes to his starting lineup, with one change to the backline and four new faces in the pack.
Vice-captain Berton Klaasen returns to the starting XV and will pair up with Harlon Klaasen at centre.
A new-look front row will see hooker Alandre van Rooyen being flanked by a new set of props in Lupumlo Mguca at loosehead and Nicolaas “N J” Oosthuizen at tighthead.
The prop duo replace the injured Schalk Ferreira (fractured cheek) and Justin Forwood, who underwent surgery on his ankle this week.
A new loose trio will also see C J Velleman earn another starting berth at openside flanker, while Jurie van Vuuren will make his first appearance of the season on the blindside.
The hardworking Ruaan his spot at No 8.
“We expect a tough encounter with Connacht. They are a side that has done well this season to win a few matches which include the scalps of top sides like Scarlets and Ulster,” Davids said. Sunday’s teams:
Southern Kings: (Nos 15 to 9) Masixole Banda, Michael Makase, Harlon Klaasen, Berton Klaasen, Yaw Penxe, Martin du Toit, Stefan Ungerer. (Nos 1 to 8): Lupumlo Mguca, Alandre van Rooyen, Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Stephan Greeff, JC Astle (cap), CJ Velleman, Jurie van Vuuren, Ruaan Lerm. Replacements: (Nos 16 to 23) Tango Balekile, Alulutho Tshakweni, Luvuyo Pupuma, Andries van Schalkwyk, Martinus Burger, Godlen Masimla, Ntabeni Dukisa, Tertius Kruger. Connacht: (Still to be named). Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). Lerm The match will be shown live on SS1 at 3pm. retains