Don’t write off Kings, says Vulindlu
FANS should not write off his team even though they have yet to win a game and are propping up the PRO14 log, bullish Southern Kings centre Luzuko Vulindlu said.
Even a bleak, 13-game losing streak has failed to dampen Vulindlu’s burning desire to spark a spectacular late-season Kings recovery.
The Kings leave on Monday for a tough three-week tour of Europe, where they will start with a match against Ulster in Belfast on February 9.
They then face the Ospreys (February 16) and Leinster on February 23 as they bid for an elusive maiden PRO14 victory.
“I would not write off the Kings and there are still eight games left in the season,” Vulindlu said.
“We are going to play some very good teams on the tour, but the confidence is there even with the losses.”
“We are looking to win all three games on the tour and excitement in the camp is very high.”
Vulindlu knows what it feels like to be on the losing side as he was part of the Southern Kings Super Rugby squad that could win only two out of 15 games in 2016.
The hard-running centre is one of only three players left in the PRO14 side who played Super Rugby for the Kings in 2016.
The others are prop Schalk Ferreira and loose forward CJ Velleman, who is expected to return to action within the next few weeks after a long-term knee injury.
“The Kings are building as a team and are keeping each other motivated,” Vulindlu said.
“After 13 rounds there are no excuses about conditions and the type of play we can expect. We have adapted.”
A narrow loss against Ulster at Kwazakhele’s Wolfson Stadium had been a key moment in the season, he said.
“The Kings were ahead for 70 minutes and we lost it in the last 10 minutes when they beat us by one try.
“It was a turning point and after the Ulster game there were injuries and disruptions to our positional plays.
“We had to adapt and it was a test to our squad to see the depth we had.
“The nice thing now is that most of the players are back.
“CJ Velleman is expected to come back after injury in the next three weeks.
“Management might fly him in for the last game overseas or perhaps wait until we get back. Then we will be at full strength.”
The Kings can expect icy, wet conditions on their European tour and Vulindlu said his team were ready to adapt to whatever conditions confronted them.
“The ball is slippery, but that is something that we have spoken about.
“We still want to play the typical Kings’ brand of expansive rugby.”
Kings head coach Deon Davids will name his touring squad today.
Scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen (ankle injury) and prop Martin Dreyer (calf) are not expected to be included.