‘Always positive vibe and victory thoughts at Kings’
NOT even a terrible sequence of 11 consecutive PRO14 rugby defeats has extinguished hopes among Southern Kings players that better days lie ahead for the team.
Attacking centre Martin du Toit, who is expected to start for the Southern Kings when they face the Cheetahs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, said.
It is the first of three South African PRO14 derby matches between the teams who opted to leave Super Rugby last year. “It is not nice at all losing every weekend, but on Mondays when we come in after the games there is always a positive vibe – and we prepare each game to win,” Du Toit said.
After a long stint at SWD Eagles, where he played 68 matches, Du Toit was signed by the Kings to add some much-needed experience.
Du Toit made his PRO14 debut for the Southern Kings against the Glasgow Warriors in round seven of the competition, at the end of October.
Kings head coach Deon Davids rates Du Toit highly and had praised his all-round ability after the signing was announced.
“I have been watching Martin for quite some time now in terms of his ability as a flyhalf, who can also play at No 12. He also has exceptional leadership skills,” Davids said at the time.
“He communicates well, has good distribution skills and is a good attacker and defender. “We are really happy to have him here.” Du Toit said he was looking forward to Saturday’s clash against the Cheetahs, because he wanted to measure himself against a South African side.
“The reason I am specially looking forward to playing against the Cheetahs, is that I see them as a Super Ruby side.
“I have not played Super Rugby at all, so I would like to compare myself against those guys and see where I am.”
Meanwhile, the Cheetahs are expected to play Neil Marais at centre with their captain, Francois Venter, out with a neck injury.
Cheetahs officials said Venter would not be fit for the trip to Port Elizabeth.
Marais trained at centre yesterday, with Fred Zeilinga filling the flyhalf position.
Another player set to miss the Kings clash is wing William Small-Smith, with a knee injury.
His place could be taken by Craig Barry with Clayton Blommetjies filling the fullback position.
The Southern Kings will face their former teammate, Makazole Mapimpi, in Port Elizabeth.
Mapimpi has confirmed that he will be leaving the Cheetahs for the Sharks after the second derby game against the Southern Kings, in Bloemfontein, on Saturday next week.
So far, the speedy wing has scored nine tries and is the leading try scorer in the PRO14 campaign.
Mapimpi said one of the reasons he was leaving the Cheetahs was because he wanted to measure himself against New Zealand and Australian teams in Super Rugby.
The Southern Kings are due to name the team to face the Cheetahs today.