Kings take aim at Dragons in Newport

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The Isuzu Southern Kings will be aiming to improve on their Guinness PRO14 opening round result when they take on Welsh side, the Dragons, at Rodney Parade in Newport on Saturday (15h00 UK time/16h00 SA time).

Head coach Deon Davids has made four changes to the team for their second round fixture. The changes include a first starting berth for the experienced Springbok Bjorn Basson, who will run on in the No11 jersey.

“Our main aim with our selections this week was to ensure that we keep some continuity in the team, and also to broaden experience within the squad,” Davids said about the changes.

“We are quite happy to see Bjorn Basson, our experienced winger, making his debut for the Isuzu Southern Kings.”

Other changes will see one of the Isuzu Southern Kings’ longest-serving players, Andisa Ntsila, making a return to the starting XV after he came off the bench last weekend against Zebre following an unfortunate injury that kept him out of action in the latter part of last season.

In a rotational change, Stephan de Wit replaces Brandon Brown at flank.

A positional switch in the backline will see Yaw Penxe, who started on the left wing last week, moving to fullback to replace Michael Botha.

Botha, who had an impressive debut for the Isuzu Southern Kings last weekend, has been ruled out of action with a groin injury.

“Andisa Ntsila was integrated into the team last week after being out for some time with injury. We are rotating him with Ruaan Lerm at No8,” explained Davids.

“Unfortunately, our promising youngster and man-of-the-match from last week, Michael Botha, did not recover efficiently from a groin injury and will be replaced by Yaw Penxe, who moves to No15, with Ulrich Beyers giving additional support from the bench.”

While the Isuzu Southern Kings defeated the Dragons 45-13 in their previous encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last season, the Port Elizabeth-based side is wary of the improved Welsh side, particularly in their own backyard.

“We expect a much improved Dragons side this weekend in front of their home crowd. I think we can expect a very physical battle up front. They have some evasive and quick outside backs, with their experienced No10 guiding them around the field,” said Davids.

“For us, it will be very important to quickly put last week’s performance out of our heads, and to build on the good things from last week. Obviously, we will have to ensure that we get out of our back 50 [metres] quickly and sufficiently as possible, and also when we enter the opposition 22-metre [area] to be precise and accurate in our execution in order to turn opportunities into points.”