Battered and bruised after 13 defeats in 15 outings, the Isuzu Southern Kings will enter the ring for a David-versus-Goliath battle against all-conquering Leinster in Dublin on Friday night.
Those of a compassionate nature will suggest the Kings deserve a bonus point just for turning up against the champions.
Luckily for the Kings, games are never won on paper and the never-say-die South Africans will always believe they are in with an outside chance.
The Kings will be hoping that there is a measure of complacency within Leinster’s ranks as they contemplate a meeting between the top and bottom side.
The log leaders have a few injury problems and call-ups to the Irish Six Nations squad, and that may take some sting out of their punch.
The experienced Michael Willemse will lead the Kings.
“Our regular captain, JC Astle, and centre Tertius Kruger struggled with flu this week and missed a few training sessions,” Kings head coach Deon Davids said.
“So, on medical advice, they were not considered for the starting side.
“We are fortunate to have Michael Willemse to take over as captain because this is not strange to him and he is part of the leadership group.
“The Kings are not happy with the amount of penalties and cards we have conceded and kept that in mind during our discussion of the match-23 squad,” he said.
Veteran scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius will be getting his first Kings start in the No 9 jersey.
He rotates with Stefan Ungerer, who will provide cover from the bench this week.
“From a player-management perspective, we are rotating Masixole Banda and Ulrich Beyers.
“Banda has started all the matches so far, and now we are excited to see Ulrich in action and how his experience and height can be used as a factor in our back three.
“Sarel Pretorius has been good from the bench and patiently waited for his opportunity,” Davids said.
“We have decided to reward him this week, with Stefan Ungerer going to the bench.”
Another change in the forwards will see flanker Henry “Bakkies” Brown returning to the starting XV.
Former Junior Springbok prop Alulutho Tshakweni will get another spot in the starting XV, and he rotates with veteran Schalk Ferreira.