Southern Kings will continue to search for their first win of the season against Guinness PRO14 Conference A side Cheetahs, on Saturday. Kings will host their South African counterparts at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the 3pm kick-off. What’s at stake? Cheetahs have won two of their last three matches in the PRO14 and with two games in hand of second-place Munster, they will feel confident they can close the 13-point gap between them. Kings on the other hand are cemented at the bottom of Conference B with just four points to their name, a win here would go a long way to reigniting their season. Saturday’s match marks the first ever all South African derby in the Guinness PRO14 Championship. Team news (Southern Kings): Head coach Deon Davids makes just two changes in the pack with the second-row pairing of Bobby De Wee and Stephan Greeff restored, in a partnership that boasts a 96% success rate on their own lineout ball. In the backs Michael Makase and Anthony Volmink come on to the wings, moving Yaw Penxe to fullback. The half back pairing of Oliver Zono and Rowan Gouws replace Kurt Coleman and Rudi van Rooyen at fly half and scrum half respectively. Team news (Cheetahs): Coach Rory Duncan makes three changes to his backline with Clayton Blommetjies returning to fullback and Nico Lee replacing injured captain Francois Venter. Lee will partner Neil Marais in the centre and flyhalf Fred Zeilinga will earn his 50th cap for the Cheetahs on Saturday. Props Ox Nche and Tom Botha start in the front row and Justin Basson replaces Carl Wegner at lock. Talking points: The first South African derby ever will provide ample atmosphere regardless of the position of both teams. No doubt both sets of players will want to hold bragging rights in their own country and this is their first opportunity. Cheetahs Captain Torsten van Jaarsveld said: “Dealing with pressure, we’ve been taking this season week by week and not looking ahead, but this is the week we’ve been waiting for – the first South African derby. “It is going to be real tough and physical game. We expect the Kings to come out guns blazing, but so will we.” Southern Kings coach Davids said of the matchup: “Firstly I think we’re due a little luck and, secondly, players naturally seem to lift their game a notch or two when it’s a local derby. “My main message to the team this week has been to not let the emotion of the occasion get to them and to show patience when on attack. “We must also endeavour to play in the right areas of the park and keep our mistakes to a minimum.” Key Battle: Michael Makase v Makazole Mapimpi Other than scoring tries for his team on Saturday, Makase will no doubt be on guard to keep Cheetah’s top try scorer Mapimpi at bay. With nine tries to his name Mapimpi will look to exploit his counterpart and add to his tally. Key Stat: Southern Kings are still without a win in the Championship this season, although they do have two try bonus points and two losing bonus points. Did you know? Toyota Cheetahs slipped to a fifth defeat of their campaign at Benetton Rugby on Saturday, whilst their only away victory in the Championship this season came on their other visit to Italy, against Zebre in October. The two sides have never met before in the PRO14, but in Super Rugby Cheetahs have won all four previous fixtures between the two. Southern Kings: Yaw Penxe Michael Makase, Berton Klaasen, Martin du Toit, Anthony Volmink, Oliver Zono, Rowan Gouws, Schalk Ferreira, Stephan Coetzee, Pieter Scholtz, Stephan Greeff, Bobby de Wee, Eital Bredenkamp, Tienie Burger, Ruaan Lerm Replacements: Michael Willemse, Johan Smith, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Lindokuhle Welemu, Freddy Ngoza, Rudi van Rooyen, Ntabeni Dukisa, Harlon Klaasen Toyota Cheetahs: Clayton Blommetjies, Craig Barry, Nico Lee, Niel Marais, Makazola Mapimpi, Fred Zeilinga, Shaun Venter, Ox Nche, Van Jaarsveld, Torsten, Tom Botha, Justin Basson, Reniel Hugo, Paul Schoeman, Oupa Mohoje, Uzair Cassiem Replacements: Jacques du Toit, Charles Marais, Johan Coetzee, Rynier Bernardo, Junior Pokomela, Henco Venter, Zee Mkhabela, AJ Coertzen TV: SuperSport1/Sky Sports (KO 5pm local) Match officials – Referee: Stuart Berry (SARU), AR1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU), AR2: AJ Jacobs (SARU) TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SARU) 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 can be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
