Belief grows in Kings players
[caption id="attachment_39814" align="alignright" width="405"] SPARKLING FORM: Southern Kings loose forward Thembelani Bholi on his way to scoring a try against a Sharks XV at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI[/caption]
SOUTHERN Kings head coach Carlos Spencer says his is team is starting to gain vital momentum ahead of their opening Absa Currie Cup Premier Division match against Western Province at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on August 8.
Spencer was speaking after his team ran in eight sparkling tries on their way to a comprehensive 50-24 win over a Sharks XV in front of 5000 fans on Friday. "We made another shift up from two weeks ago when we beat the Bulls XV. We had to because I thought the Sharks team would pose us more threats," Spencer said.
"The Kings are slowly starting to gain momentum and we are starting to correct the things we need to work on. The players are starting to believe in themselves which is good.
"There was a lot more composure in the team and I think we can get better. We created a lot more opportunities than we actually finished off which is a pleasing thing. At times we let ourselves down by not finishing off.
"We still have a lot of work to do so it's important that we keep grounded and working hard," the former All Black flyhalf said.
With most of the squad members now having game time under their belts in friendlies against Wales, the Bulls XV and Sharks XV, Spencer admits he could have some selection headaches to consider ahead of the Currie Cup.
"The majority of the boys have played now so we have pretty much seen each one and there could be selection headaches," Spencer said.
"That is what we want because if we have headaches the guys are putting their hands up. They are working hard and doing their job and I would not want it any other way.
"Hooker Albe de Swardt is one guy who is putting his hand up. He is not a superstar. He is a grinder who works hard and does his job well like many other guys in the team. I would rather have hard workers any day over big names. This is what we are starting to create at this union and it is good to see."
Spencer said he was happy with the showing of new halfback pairing Tobie Botes (scrumhalf) and Gary van Aswegen (flyhalf).
"They were tremendous in their first hit out. Feedback from the players out on the pitch was that their communication was good. If you want to move forward it is always crucial that you have a good nine and 10 and we have a few of those now so we are on the right track."
Kings skipper Luke Watson, who came off the field with a rib injury after 20 minutes, says he will be fit for the Currie Cup opener.
"I tweaked my ribs a little bit but it is not serious. It was pretty sore and I did not want it to get worse and then be out for more weeks," Watson said.
"I hope to be ready for the SWD Eagles game on Friday and if I am not ready for that one I will be ready for the next friendly against Free State, which is probably the more serious game."
Against the Sharks XI the Kings try scorers were Shane Gates (2), Shaun McDonald (2), Watson, Thembelani Bholi, Tom Botha and Siyanda Grey.
In the curtain-raiser the EP Craven Week team beat their Border counterparts 24-21.
The scorers were:
EP: Tries: Johann van Niekerk, Curwin Bosch. Conversion: Curwin Bosch. Penalties: Bosch (4).
Border: Tries: K Makoabane, D Brits (2). Conversions: M Steyn (3). - George Byron
