The Isuzu Southern Kings will be looking to impose themselves on the Scarlets in a Guinness PRO14 clash at the Madibaz Stadium on Friday, Kings captain JC Astle said.
Beaten by the Scarlets in Wales earlier in the season, the Kings are desperate to improve their record of only one win from six starts in the PRO14.
After Friday’s clash, the Kings host champions Leinster on Sunday next week in round eight.
“We have some big games coming up,” Astle said.
“The Kings played the Scarlets a few weeks ago, so we know what is coming. Leinster are a different kind of animal.
“Our focus is to impose ourselves on Scarlets and focus on our own game.
“We want to put ourselves in a position to win and that is the most important part for us.
“To get two wins would be massive for the squad.”
Astle said losing skipper Michael Willemse and lock Bobby de Wee would change things in the team dynamic.
“At lineouts, the Scarlets will put pressure on us because they know Michael is not playing. The guys coming in will have to step up and I have the trust in them to do that.
“We will make it work and use our strengths.”
Being up close and personal with fans at the intimate Madibaz Stadium would give his team a boost, Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
When the Kings played at the campus venue last month, they pulled off an upset win over Glasgow Warriors.
“It is fantastic to go back to Madibaz Stadium. The last time we played there we had a good result and we hope to get another one,” Davids said.
“We were thankful for the support at the Glasgow game, and hopefully we will have even more for the Scarlets clash.”
With October being cancer awareness month in SA, the Kings will play the Scarlets in pink rugby socks.
“Cancer affects many people in SA and across the globe, including some of our own players, management and staff who have been directly or indirectly affected by the disease,” Kings chief operations officer Charl Crous said.
The Kings will also be supporting the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer by leading the 5km walk in Port Elizabeth, starting and finishing at The Sun Boardwalk on Saturday.
“We are pleased to be part of this great initiative, which marries well with our own #KingsCare campaign,” Crous said.
Tickets for the Scarlets match are available at TicketPro outlets at R20.