Shaun Goosen takes a look at this weekend’s Pro14 South African derby between the Kings and the Cheetahs.
Southern Kings v Toyota Cheetahs
15h30
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
To Win Match
Kings 34/10
Draw 22/1
Cheetahs 2/9
The Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs will resume their respective Pro14 campaigns when they clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
With the two South African sides having played two matches fewer than the rest of the competition, their battles over the next fortnight will give them the chance to do some catching up.
The hosts still sit bottom of Conference B with just a solitary November win over the struggling Ospreys to show for their efforts after eight games. That said, they did well to surprise the Stormers 13-3 in Knysna last week and will look to take some confidence from that result into Saturday’s clash.
The Kings are yet to beat the Free Staters in the Pro14, with February’s 40-36 result in Bloemfontein the closest they’ve come.
After winning their opening three fixtures, the Cheetahs have entered a slump of late in picking up just one win from their previous five encounters. During that run, they suffered an embarrassing 41-13 defeat to Zebre and will need to pull together fast if they are to make a dash for the playoffs.
Come Saturday, however, they could come unstuck in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Kings are overdue a victory and, after their heroics in Knysna, will look to claim a second win this season over another Saffa opponent.
Verdict: Kings by five
