Learning how to close out tight games is vital if the Isuzu Southern Kings want to start climbing the Guinness PRO14 ladder, Kings scrumhalf Godlen Masimla said.
The Kings will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak when they face Irish outfit Connacht at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
After narrow defeats to the Scarlets and Leinster, Masimla wants to see new focus in the Kings lineup as they prepare for another tough battle.
“We have had some very close games, and we need to improve in how we close off matches.
“If we can achieve that, we will see the results we are after.”
Masimla is relishing fierce rivalry for places in the Kings’ starting lineup since the arrival of Pumas No 9 Stefan Ungerer.
The expected return from injury of the experienced Sarel Pretorius and the challenge of the industrious Rudi van Rooyen will give the Kings welcome selection headaches.
Ungerer, who scored two tries on his Guinness PRO14 debut against champions Leinster, has made it clear that he wants to own the No 9 jersey.
Masimla was on the bench for the Leinster game at the Madibaz Stadium when his team gave the champions a run for their money.
“I think with Stefan coming it is healthy and good for the team. But I will continue to focus on myself,” Masimla said.
“I think my individual game has improved from last season and I have gained experience from playing against overseas teams on the other side of the world.
“I am in a better position than last season in terms of my game. I think the team has also improved.
“We are playing well together this year. It was our first campaign together as a team last season, and there were not many changes this year.
“But we did get JC Astle and a player like him brings experience and that helps the team.
“I want to give my best week in and week out and
I am enjoying myself playing for the Kings. Other experienced players like Sarel Pretorius and Bjorn Basson also came in.”
Masimla said injuries to players like lock Bobby de Wee did impact the team, but they got on with the job.
“Bobby is a good player and I must say the guys miss him on and off the field.
“But you get a player who comes in like Stephan Greeff who makes the step up.”
Despite the spate of injuries, Masimla expressed confidence in the players who have come in.
“We have lost some quality players to injury who offer a lot to the team. But, we can also be grateful that the players that have come in have not dropped the standard.
“Instead, they have made the step up to ensure we continue working on the progress that we are making as a team.”
Tickets are on sale at all TicketPro outlets and will be available at the stadium gates on match-day at R20 for the Connacht clash.