Conference B’s two bottom sides will face off this weekend in an intriguing match-up.

Benetton Rugby are nine points ahead of Southern Kings but will not want to allow the South Africans to narrow the gap between them at the Stadio Comunale Di Monigo on Saturday evening.

What’s at stake?

Kings are yet to win a point in five PRO14 matches and will be desperate to gain some on Saturday and get their season up and running.

The South Africans will be desperate to take points from this game and will see Benetton as an ideal opponent, as the Italian side have only managed two wins from five.

However, the Italians will be keen to back on track following last weekend’s defeat to Glasgow Warriors.

Team news (Benetton):

Head coach Kieran Crowley has made just one change to the back line that faced Glasgow last weekend, with Ignacio Brex coming in for Tommaso Benvenuti at outside centre.

Team news (Southern Kings):

Head coach Deon Davids has opted to make minimal changes to the side that fought courageously against Dragons last weekend, keeping his forward line intact.

At the back, Yaw Penxe is rested while Sibusiso Sithole is shifted from left to right wing to replace him and Alshaun Bock comes in on the left.

Talking points:

Southern Kings may sense an opportunity to claim their first points of the season, with Benetton failing to win two of their last five home games.

This is the Italian side’s first trip to South Africa, in a busy 2017 that has seen them visit Singapore, Australia, Argentina, Wales and Ireland in 2017 so far.

Benetton are a force to be reckoned with in front of their own supporters and have lost just two of their last five, but both of those were to Irish sides.

Key Battle: Angelo Esposito v Sibusso Sitole

With both teams suspect in defence, it may be up to their respective wingers to win the game by outscoring the opposition.

Esposito is Benetton’s top tscorer with two, while Sithole, who is normally utilised at left wing, has a chance to impress on the right while Penxe is rested.

Key Stat: Last weekend Southern King’s Bobby de Wee managed two lineout steals, more than any other player managed.

Did you know?

This will be the first time the two sides have played against each other ever after Southern Kings were inducted into the league this season.

Benetton: J Hayward, A Esposito, Ignacio Brex, A Sgarbi, L Sperandio, M Banks, T Tebaldi / F Zani, L Bigi, S Ferrari, D Budd, M Lazzaroni, S Negri, A Steyn, M Barbini

Replacements: T Baravalle, C Traore, T Pasquali, M Fuser, R Barbieri, E Gori, T Benvenuti, I McKinley

Southern Kings: M Banda, S Sithole, J Nel, L Vulindlu, A Bock, P de Wet, G Masimla, S Ferreira, M Willemse, M Dreyer, S Greeff, B de Wee, A Ntsila, J van Vuuren, D van Schalkwyk

Replacements: T Balekile, R de Klerk, E Swanepoel, L Mtyanda, K Majola, R van Rooyen, O Zono, B Klaasen

TV: Eurosport Italia/SuperSport1, (KO 8pm local time)

Match officials – Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU), AR1: Rhys Thomas (WRU), AR2: Jonathan Hardy (WRU) TMO: Sean Brickwell (WRU)

Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster