Boosted Kings out to end well
GIVEN a one-week breather to recharge their batteries, the Southern Kings regroup on Monday to begin the final push in their gruelling 21-match PRO14 debut campaign.
After a victory over the Dragons in their last match, the Kings want to end the season with a bang and lift themselves off the bottom of the log.
After 17 rounds, the Kings are eight points adrift of the Dragons, who have won only two games in what has been a testing season for the Welshmen.
The Kings’ remaining games are against Benetton Treviso (March 24), Munster (April 7), Cardiff Blues (April 14) and the Cheetahs (April 27).
While the Kings will be rejuvenated after their impressive win, the Dragons’ confidence will have been shaken after they shipped six tries against the Port Elizabeth side.
It was a notable first PRO14 win for the Kings and saw their dynamic centre Luzuko Vulindlu walk away with the man-of-the-match award.
The morale in the Welsh side will be down after coach Bernard Jackman said he would embark on a major recruiting drive to bolster the side next season.
He said his team had been embarrassing and deserved any criticism that came their way after the drubbing in Port Elizabeth.
A plus for the Kings is that they have completed the overseas leg of the tournament.
The Benetton, Cardiff and Cheetahs games will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the Munster clash at Outeniqua Park in George.
There were 4 574 fans at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to watch the Kings beat the Dragons, and a bigger crowd is expected to watch the Benetton clash.
Kings skipper Michael Willemse said the win over the Dragons would bring players out of their shells and allow them to express their talent better.
“You could see the boys enjoyed themselves against the Dragons and that was a first this season.
“Everyone can see what we are capable of doing once we start enjoying ourselves a bit. Hopefully we see a bit more of that,” Willemse said.