Isuzu Southern Kings and Dragons lock horns at the Madibaz Stadium on Sunday in a battle that will go a long way to deciding who avoids finishing bottom of Conference B. What’s at stake? Only once in the past three meetings between these two sides have the Kings prevailed, the Dragons edged a high-scoring match 27-22 at Rodney Parade last September. The Kings are currently ahead of the Dragons in the standings in Conference B, but only by a solitary point. Both of Kings’ victories this season have come at Madibaz Stadium and their only victory over a Welsh region was against Dragons at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in March last year. Meanwhile, the Dragons’ most recent victory in the Guinness PRO14 was by a single point against Ospreys at Rodney Parade on 30 December. Team news (Dragons) Full-back Zane Kirchner returns to the starting line-up to face his countrymen. Former Springbok international Kirchner is one of four changes made by head coach Ceri Jones – all in the back division – for the clash at Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth. A new-look centre partnership sees Adam Warren – fresh from signing a new long-term contract at Dragons – and Jack Dixon combine in midfield. The final change to the team is a starting spot for fly-half Josh Lewis. Hooker Richard Hibbard will captain the team. Team news (Isuzu Southern Kings) Andries “Dries” van Schalkwyk, will lead the Port Elizabeth-based side onto the field on Sunday and the experienced 34-year-old will be playing in his 100th Guinness PRO14 match. Van Schalkwyk will be in a forward pack that will see only two changes to the team that gallantly went down to Ulster in their previous Guinness PRO14 outing a fortnight ago. Fellow veteran, Schalk Ferreira, will be back in the starting line-up at loosehead prop where he will swap spots with youngster, Alulutho Tshakweni, who will be on the bench on Sunday. Andisa Ntsila will also earn a spot in the starting XV, in the No.6 jersey where he replaces Henry “Bakkies” Brown. In the backline, centre Harlon Klaasen returns to the team where he will pair up with Tertius Kruger for the midfield partnership, while the nippy and elusive Masixole Banda will regain his starting berth, exchanging spots with Ulrich Beyers, who will start on the bench this week. Talking points Kings head coach Deon Davids said: “We are going all out to get positive results in the remaining three games. “I think we owe that to ourselves. The Dragons, together with Ospreys and the Cheetahs – all of whom we still need to play, are three formidable teams. “The Dragons seem to be on an upward curve if you look at their run in the last five games. So it is going to be a tough game for us. But being at home and having the opportunity to play at home should give us a boost.” Dragons head coach Ceri Jones said: “We’ve had a good first few days in South Africa, with a fantastic training base in Port Elizabeth at Nelson Mandela University, and the players are looking forward to getting into the games. “We are determined to try and get that away win, but also aware of the challenge we face against the Kings, a team close to us in the league standings. “The Kings are one of the most dangerous sides in the competition when it gets loose with a very talented and quick back three. We respect them and we know what we need to do. “We are looking forward to getting started. We have named a squad with enough talent and experience to be able to achieve – we just need to go out and deliver.” Key battle Yaw Penxe v Hallam Amos Yaw Penxe is the front runner for this year’s Dacia Iron Man Award in the Guinness PRO14. His 1397 minutes are more than any other player in the league and the winger will be hoping to terrorise the Dragons all afternoon on Sunday. Up against him will be Hallam Amos, who will be keen to end his Dragons career on a high before heading to the Cardiff Blues next season. Key stat – The two sides have met on three previous occasions, all games being won by the home side on the day, including the Kings’ first-ever win in the competition. Did you know? Dragons have not won away from home in the Championship for over four years, since beating Benetton in Treviso. Isuzu Southern Kings: Masixole Banda, Yaw Penxe, Harlon Klaasen, Tertius Kruger, Bjorn Basson, Bader Pretorius, Stefan Ungerer, Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse, De-Jay Terblanche, Andries van Schalkwyk, John-Charles Astle, Andisa Ntsila, Martinus Burger, Ruaan Lerm Replacements: Alandre Van Rooyen, Alulutho Tshakweni, Pieter Scholtz, Stephan Greeff, Stephan De Wit, Rudi Van Rooyen, Berton Klaasen, Ulrich Beyers Dragons: Zane Kirchner, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Josh Lewis, Rhodri Williams; Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard ©, Leon Brown, Max Williams, Matthew Screech, Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Ryan Bevington, Lloyd Fairbrother, Huw Taylor, Lennon Greggains, Tavis Knoyle, Jason Tovey, Jordan Williams TV : At Madibaz Stadium, Port Elizabeth, 3pm. Live on eir Sport, SuperSport, Free Sports & DAZN Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU, 23rd competition game) Assistant Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Paul Mente (SARU) TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SARU) Citing Commissioner: Nomsebenzi Tsotsobe (SARU) The Guinness PRO14 Final is one of the most entertaining games in the rugby calendar and takes place in Glasgow’s Celtic Park on May 25. Tickets start at just £25 for adults, £1 for kids. Visit www.pro14rugby.org/finaltickets
