The Kings are limping. Photo: Seb Daly/Sporstfile/Gallo Images.
Off-field drama more than anything else has dominated the Southern Kings and Leinster’s Pro14 meeting.
The Irish side, who are in a weakened state due to injuries and compassionate reasons, had to send two of their foreign players – captain Isa Nacewa and Jackson Gibson-Park – home because they didn’t apply for visas.
There was even a urgent court application but in the end, Leinster conceded they made an admin mistake.
Given the chaotic nature of their build-up, the Kings will hope to capitalise.
But their introduction to life in the tournament has hardly been easy.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
When and where does this match kickoff?
On Saturday afternoon at 14.15 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Who is Leinster?
South African rugby will get its first taste of Ireland’s most decorated provincial team.
Based in Dublin, Leinster are the most successful team in the Pro14’s history, having won four titles.
They experienced a particularly golden run four years ago when they won the tournament in consecutive years – 2013 and 2014 – but also have a bit of a reputation for “choking” in finals.
They’ve been runners-up five times.
One of the endearing features of Leinster is that they base their squad heavily on homegrown players.
What are Leinster’s prospects?
When you have an incredible 27 players with international experience – and that’s just for Ireland! – in your squad, you’re rightly considered one of the favourites.
Under the astute leadership of director of rugby Len Cullen, Leinster do look a good bet in 2017/18.
They might struggle a bit in the early stages as they’ll be forced to explore their depth.
None of their five British and Irish Lions, for example, are available for this trip to South Africa.
But once they are back, it should be fun watching them.
Leinster have also recruited smartly in terms of foreign players.
They’ll only add New Zealand winger James Lowe – a brilliant player in Super Rugby for the Chiefs – and Wallaby flanker Scott Fardy to their roster later this year.
But boy, they are fine signings.
How are the Kings looking?
Conceding 90 points in just two matches illustrates how the Kings have struggled to adapt early in the competition.
However, a first home game should give them somewhat of a lift.
It’s not necessarily an excuse but their relative instability is going to have an effect.
There are only eight survivors from this year’s Super Rugby campaign and it can’t be easy to gel a squad of predominantly loan players.
Coach Deon Davids acknowledged that too.
“I’m not sure how close this team is to gelling. It’s going to take time,” he said.
“There are a few guys still on the fringes and some that are injured, so we’ve stuck with the guys that went on tour to get some continuity going.”
Teams:
Kings: Coyi Banda, Yaw Penxe, Berton Klaasen, Luzuko Vulindlu, S’bura Sithole, Kurt Coleman, Poerie van Rooyen, Andisa Ntsila, Victor Sekekete, Khaya Majola, Dries van Schalkwyk, Stephan Greeff, Luvuyo Pupuma, Mikey Willemse (c), Schalk Ferreira. Bench: Stephan Coetzee, Petrus Strauss, Martin Dreyer, Bobby de Wee, Siya Mdaka, Godlen Masimla, Oliver Zono/Ntabeni Dukisa, Jacques Nel.
Leinster: Joey Carberry, Adam Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin, Noel Reid, Dave Kearney, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath, Jack Conan, Jordi Murphy, Rhys Ruddock (c), James Ryan, Ross Molony, Andrew Porter, Sean Cronin, Ed Byrne. Bench: James Tracy, Cian Healy, Michael Bent, Mick Kearney, Josh van der Flier, Nick McCarthy, Cathal Marsh, Jordan Larmour.