We preview this weekend’s match between the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs.
The Kings and the Cheetahs are the two South African teams that will not participate in next year’s Super Rugby tournament. SARU confirmed that only four South African teams will participate in next year’s Super Rugby tournament – the Stormers, Bulls, Lions, and Sharks – leaving the Kings and Cheetahs to seek their fortunes in Europe.
The two sides will look to bid Super Rugby farewell in style when they meet in Port Elizabeth this Friday evening.
Kings v Cheetahs | Friday 14 July | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | 19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Kings 13/20 | Draw 22/1 | Reds 5/4
Handicap
Kings (-2.5) 9/10 | Cheetahs (+2.5) 9/10
Southern Kings
The Kings will have a lot of emotion going into this match as they bid farewell to their fans, who have turned out in their droves when their boys started getting the right results.
The Kings bring some brilliant form into this one winning four out of their six matches. One of the aforementioned victories came against the Bulls last week, with Deon Davids men scraping their way to a narrow one point win.
Play-maker Lionel Cronje, who kicked the last minute penalty that handed the Kings victory over the Bulls, has had a great campaign. The pivot has been the key cog in the Kings machine, getting his backline going through his cross kicks and silky distribution skills. Cronje’s solid displays have allowed speedsters Wandile Mjekevu, Malcom Jaer, and Makazole Mampimpi to manipulate space.
Cheetahs
The Cheetahs have only three wins in their Super Rugby campaign and come into this one off the back of a loss to the Stormers. They were decent value during that aforementioned defeat though, and we can expect another enterprising display from the Free Staters.
Springbok Oupa Mohoje returns back to the set-up for this weekend’s clash having recovered from injury. The vastly experienced flanker’s return should help the Cheetahs curtail their discipline issues, which will need to be resolved.
The scrum should be a rather even contest this Friday with both sides possessing some decent front rowers. The match will be won in the backline, however, as both teams play the same brand of exciting running rugby.
Verdict: Kings (-2.5) 9/10
Playing in front of their home crowd, and this match being their last, the Kings have everything on their side to get the result they want.
