Against the frenzied backdrop of the fuss surrounding their takeover by a cash-flush business group, the Isuzu Southern Kings have remained fully focused on their clash against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday.
With speculation about what the future will hold under private ownership at fever pitch, Kings head coach Deon Davids is concentrating on how to beat Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium.
“All our focus is on our final four games, and specially Saturday’s match against Ulster,” Davids said.
“We want to make sure we improve in the last four games and really work hard to get some get some positive results. If you look at Ulster, what you see is what you are going get.
“At end of day, it is up to us to handle what is in front of us and be effective. I don’t think Ulster bring too much creative stuff. They are direct and systematic in their whole approach.
“But if you lose your focus they will punish you because they have quality players in their side. I think we have prepared well and we must handle the conditions and situations in front of us and be effective
“We expect rain and muddy conditions and it is cold at this time of the season. It will be slippery underfoot and challenging.”
Davids said the team had learned lessons from their recent three-match tour of Europe when they failed to win a game.
“In terms of our last tour, we really revisited our whole approach to the way we play rugby in our back 50 and what we want to achieve in our front 50,” he said.
“I think the guys are starting to understand the importance of a good tactical mindset and the need to minimise your mistakes. The natural thing for us is to run with ball in hand and play with a lot of flair.
“But the guys have learned that European conditions don’t always allow you to run with the ball, so you have to adapt and come up with solid plans.”
Davids will be keen for his team to maintain their discipline after comments from new chairman Loyiso Dotwana.
Dotwana has warned his coaches and players he will not tolerate the high number of yellow cards the side have been conceding in the PRO14.
So far the Kings have been on the receiving end of 22 yellow cards and two red and this has left them with a poor disciplinary record in the European League.
The Kings have yet to win a match on the road in the PRO14, and they will be keen to fix this unwanted statistic in Belfast.
This is the final match in Europe for the Kings, who will end their season with home games against the Dragons and Ospreys, before travelling to Bloemfontein to face the Cheetahs.
Kings squad to travel to Ireland:
Props: Alulutho Tshakweni, Schalk Ferreira DJ Terblanche, Lupumlo Mguca, Pieter Scholtz Hookers: Mike Willemse, Alandre van Rooyen Locks: JC Astle, Dries van Schalkwyk, Stephan GreeffLoose forwards: Bakkies Brown Tienie Burger Andisa Ntsila Ruan Lerm Scrumhalves: Stefan Ungerer Ruan van Rensburg Rudy van Rooyen Flyhalf: Bader Pretorius Flyhalf/Fullback: Masixole Banda Centres: Tertius Kruger Meli Rokua Harlon Klaasen Wings: Yaw Penxe Bjorn Basson Fullback: Ulrich Beyers