Kings want to shine in Karoo

CONCERNED EP Kings coach Mzwandile Stick says his team cannot afford to lose more matches if they want to reach the Vodacom Cup playoffs at the end of the season.

After slumping to two defeats in their opening three games, the Kings know that a defeat at the hands of a Free State 15 in Cradock tomorrow could prove fatal for their playoff hopes.

"If we can beat the Free Staters we will be back among the top guys," Stick said.

"We want three wins from our next three games and then we will be there among the top four."

The standings in the South Section are Sharks 13, SWD Eagles 12, Free State 11, Western Province 9, EP Kings 6, Tusker Simba XV 5, Border Bulldogs 4, and Boland Cavaliers 0.

No fewer than nine changes have been made to the starting lineup that slumped to a 56-22 defeat against Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.

Stick says he is pleased with the signs that the players "are growing together as a team" and playing well at times. But he added: "Now and then, though, one player lost his focus out of the 15 and we got punished. It is good that we are getting senior players coming in so they can raise the standard."

Despite leaking eight tries against Western Province, Stick says he still has full confidence in his team's defensive structures.

"The system is there and is working and Tiger Mangweni is doing well as our defensive coach," Stick said.

"One mistake and we got punished in Cape Town. Most of the tries they scored were from our mistakes after we had ball in hand. When we knocked it they took it and punished us.

"Despite the score there was a lot of positive stuff." For the Cradock showdown, the Kings will have a new halfback pairing of scrumhalf Jaco Grobler and flyhalf George Whitehead who featured for the Southern Kings earlier this year in the Super Rugby friendlies.

Explosive wing Sergeal Petersen has also been called up to the starting lineup while lock Rynier Bernardo returns after being given off last weekend to attend a wedding.

The Kings team: Lizo Gqoboka, Albe de Swardt, Charl du Plessis, Stephan Zaayman, Rynier Bernardo, Thembelani Bholi, Paul Schoeman (capt), Aidon Davis, Jaco Grobler, George Whitehead, Selvyn Davids, Luan Nieuwoudt, Brian Skosana, Sergeal Petersen, Masixole Banda. Replacements: Dane van der Westhuyzen, BG Uys, Taylor Paul, Siphesihle Punguzwa, Sonwabo Majola, Siphumelelo Msutwana, Ntabeni Dukisa. -George Byron