Igniting their passion and enjoyment of the game will be vital if the Isuzu Southern Kings want to tame the Cheetahs on Friday, Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
Bragging rights will be at stake in the first South African Guinness PRO14 derby of the season at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
So far it has been a wretched season for the Kings, who have won only one of their opening 11 games.
“We need to have a better start and our focus must be better,” Davids said.
“Overall, our execution must also improve. I want to get that passion and enjoyment back.
“We want the team to play the way they can.
“The Kings have spoken extensively about that and we hope that passion can come through.”
Things are set to get up close and personal in a derby that will see several former teammates facing off on opposite sides.
The Kings have former Cheetahs players Tertius Kruger and Sarel Pretorius in their ranks while former Kings player Malcolm Jaer, who is now wearing Cheetahs colours, can expect a hot reception in Port Elizabeth.
“The Kings will always have a special place in my heart because that is where things started for me,” Jaer said.
“They gave me a chance to live out my potential, but that is in the past.
“I’m with the Cheetahs now and just want to play to my full potential this weekend and make a difference.”
The Cheetahs have been superior on attack and defence this season, with the Bloemfontein outfit having scored 36 tries and conceding 44, while the Kings scored 28 and conceded 52.
Cheetahs’ try-scoring machine, Rabz Maxwane, who is the top try-scorer in the competition with eight tries, will pose a big threat to the home team’s hopes.
Davids has selected an experienced match-day squad that includes six changes to the starting XV that lost to Edinburgh.
Loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira will make a return to the side, together with hooker Michael Willemse in the changes to the front row.
Flanker Henry “Bakkies” Brown will also make a return to the team following a threemonth layoff after an ankle injury.
In the backline, Springbok winger Bjorn Basson makes a return in the No11 jersey, while Berton Klaasen will again form a midfield partnership with Tertius Kruger.
Ntabeni Dukisa will earn a starting berth at flyhalf, replacing Martin du Toit, who will be on the bench.
Andisa Ntsila also returns to play after recovering from a knee injury to provide looseforward cover.
Prop Rossouw de Klerk has been included on the bench following his recovery from a chest injury.
“We have selected a rather experienced side this week as we are fortunate to have quite a few of our players back from some lengthy injuries,” Davids said.
The teams:
Southern Kings:
(Nos 15 to 9): Masixole Banda, Yaw Penxe, Tertius Kruger, Berton Klaasen, Bjorn Basson, Ntabeni Dukisa, Stefan Ungerer. (Nos 1 to 8): Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse, Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Stephan Greeff, JC Astle (capt), CJ Velleman, Bakkies Brown, Ruaan Lerm. Replacements: (Nos 16 to 23): Alandre van Rooyen, Lupumlo Mguca, Rossouw de Klerk , Andries van Schalkwyk, Andisa Ntsila, Sarel Pretorius, Martin du Toit, Harlon Klaasen.
Cheetahs:
Malcolm Jaer, William Small-Smith, Barend Janse van Rensburg, Nico Lee, Rabz Maxwane, Tiaan Schoeman, Tian Meyer (captain), Daniel Maartens, Junior Pokomela, Gerhard Olivier, JP du Preez, Justin Basson, Johan Coetzee, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche. Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Charles Marais, Luan de Bruin, Sintu Manjezi, Walt Steenkamp, Abongile Nonkontwana, Shaun Venter, Louis Fouche. Referee: Quinton Immelman The match will be shown live on SS1 at 7pm.