Fringe players eye future
With new owners about to get their feet under the boardroom table, Isuzu Southern Kings fringe squad members could be playing for their futures during the final five games of the Guinness PRO14 season.
Though the business consortium have not laid out their plans, a reduction in playing staff could be on the cards under the new regime.
It is expected that the consortium will spell out their strategy in detail at a function billed as “The Way Forward” at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on March 14.
The Kings’ long-term prospects were given a boost when EP clubs unanimously endorsed a deal on Saturday for a business consortium to own a 74% stake in the franchise.
Fringe players, therefore, will be keen to make an impact whenever they get an opportunity as the season starts to wind down.
The PRO14 log does not make happy reading for Kings fans after 14 defeats in 16 outings.
On Saturday, the Kings take on the Cardiff Blues in Wales, and victory could lift them above the Dragons on the Conference B standings.
After the Cardiff clash, the Kings will have matches against Ulster (away) before home games against fellow strugglers the Dragons, Ospreys and the Cheetahs.
Cardiff are facing pressure from Connacht, Ospreys and the Cheetahs for a playoff spot in Conference A and they will target a bonus-point victory over the Kings in front of their home crowd.
It will be a big challenge for the Kings, because the Blues have been more effective on attack and defence this season.
The Kings will draw inspiration from the fact the hosts have scored only two more tries than them this season.
The Welshmen have been in solid form at home, where they suffered only one defeat by four points, which is a record they will be determined to maintain.
Despite their poor record, the Kings have challenged a number of teams at home and on tour thanks to impressive finishing from speedsters Yaw Penxe, Bjorn Basson and Masixole Banda.
The Cardiff Blues won the previous and only encounter between the sides in Port Elizabeth 45-12 in April 2018.
Following the defeat against Leinster, Kings team doctor Gershwin Kortje said there were some injury problems for head coach Deon Davids to consider.
“Stephan Greeff and Ruaan Lerm sustained concussions in the match against Leinster on Friday,” Kortje said.
“They did not pass the pitch-side concussion tests. However, they did pass the re-evaluation concussion tests.
“They will go through the Gradual Return to Play protocol to determine whether they are fit to play in our next match on Saturday.
“Ulrich Beyers sustained a quadriceps muscle contusion.
“He is being managed conservatively and will undergo functional tests to determine whether he is fit or not for the upcoming match.”
Kortje expressed relief at the recovery of team captain JC Astle, who had to start the match off the bench last week after suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection ahead of the match against Leinster.
“JC Astle played and he was able, as always, to give 100% for about 70 minutes while he was on the field.
“He had to come off for a moment for the small laceration to his head he sustained during the game.
“Astle was stitched, and thereafter went back on the field and completed the game without any further problems.”
The Kings will name their team on Friday.