Kings call for massive fan support for home game
SOUTHERN Kings coach Deon Davids wants Port Elizabeth fans to provide his team with the Xfactor when they face table-topping Leinster on Saturday.
It will be the first Pro14 match played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the Kings are determined to celebrate the occasion with a maiden win.
Davids’ team had a tough time on the road, losing to the Scarlets in Wales and Connacht in Ireland in their opening games.
“There is no doubt, as we saw earlier this year, that our team plays at its best when they have local support,” Davids said.
“We are grateful to those who came out in numbers this year and I am confident that they will come back for more when we play against all these world stars in the Pro14.
“The Kings want to do well in this competition and we will need the support of all our fans to achieve this.
“There are so many world stars in action and every opposing team will bring their own brand of play and skills set,” he said.
More than 22 000 fans watched the Kings score a historic first ever win over South African opposition in Super Rugby when they beat the Sharks this year.
Officials are hoping a similar crowd turns up for the first appearance by a northern hemisphere club team.
The Southern Kings have announced a wide range of ticket options for home Pro14 matches, which will allow all rugby supporters the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world.
There will also be a first-time offering of scholars’ tickets to be purchased and, according to Kings chief operations officer Charl Crous, the whole pricing structure is aimed at making it affordable. “We will be playing against some of the best teams in world rugby and this promises to be an exciting era.
“We have some exciting competitions and fan engagement initiatives planned which will add to the excitement being created by this competition and the quality of rugby produced by the players on the field,” Crous said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium manager Mpho Mokonyama promised a full rugby experience.
“We have had some wonderful matches already this year, including an amazing test, but the good news is that there is more to come,” Mokonyama said. The pricing structure is: Royal Lounge season ticket (R1 295). Only available to purchase at the TicketPro office at the stadium; Royal Lounge match day ticket (R150). Available to purchase online at
www.ticketpros.co.za and all TicketPro outlets; East Stand – adults (R50). Available to purchase online at www.ticketpros.co.za and all TicketPro outlets; West Stand – adults (R60). Available online at www.ticketpros.co.za and all TicketPro outlets; East and West Stand – scholar ticket (R20). Only available to purchase at the TicketPro office at the stadium.