Strong start key for Kings
Win against Force vital as team kick off lengthy Australian tour
ACE kicker and captain Lionel Cronje says it is of utmost importance that the Southern Kings make a good start to their Australian tour when they play the Western Force in Perth on Sunday (kickoff 8.05am).
Both teams have made slow starts to the season and have only a single win to show from their opening five games.
Adding spice to the encounter is that the Kings and the Force have been mentioned as the most likely candidates to get the chop if Super Rugby is reduced to 16 teams next year.
Cool-headed pivot Cronje was in golden form with the boot at the start of the season,
In a flawless display of kicking, he slotted all 15 of his shots at posts in the Kings’ opening games against the Jaguares, Sunwolves and Stormers, until his finely-tuned radar eventually let him down against the Sharks.
“The team have really settled in well here in Perth and the training has been good so far,” Cronje said.
“We are really looking forward to an awesome encounter and both teams are coming off losses in their previous games.
“We expect both teams to be up for the challenge and hopefully we can come away with a good victory.
“It is of utmost importance for us to start our lengthy three-week tour of Australia well.
“We were challenged in all facets of the game in our previous games against the Sharks and Lions and that should put us in good stead.”
Kings head coach Deon Davids has made three changes to his side for Sunday’s clash in Perth. After the hamstring injury to experienced centre Waylon Murray, Davids was forced to make a change to his centre pairing.
Luzuko Vulindlu, who was on the bench in the match against the Lions, will be replacing Murray in the No 12 jersey as he partners up with Berton Klaasen in the midfield.
After recovering from a thigh injury that ruled him out of the Southern Kings’ previous fixture, winger Makazole Mapimpi has been included in the starting lineup, taking the place of Alshaun Bock at right wing.
The only change in the forward pack sees Michael Willemse making a return to the starting side in a rotational selection which sees Kurt Haupt, the starting hooker against the Emirates Lions, not included in the match-23 squad this week.
The match could be marked by a special milestone for Southern Kings backup hooker Martin Bezuidenhout, who will be making his 50th Super Rugby appearance if he makes his way onto the field from the bench.
The 27-year-old, who has previously turned out for the Lions and Stormers, will provide cover in the hooker position and is one of two potential changes on the bench for Sunday’s clash.
Davids is yet to make a final decision on who will provide backline cover on the bench between Wandile Mjekevu and Masixole Banda for this crunch showdown.
The Kings team: Malcolm Jaer, Yaw Penxe, Berton Klaasen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Makazole Mapimpi, Lionel Cronje (captain), Louis Schreuder, Ruaan Lerm, Andisa Ntsila, Chris Cloete, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Irne Herbst, Ross Geldenhuys, Michael Willemse, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Chris Heiberg, Justin Forwood, Mzwanele Zito, Tyler Paul, Johan Steyn, Pieter-Steyn de Wet, Masixole Banda/Wandile Mjekevu