Preview: Kings have a point to prove
The Eastern Province Kings will have plenty to prove now that their Super Rugby status for 2013 has been confirmed.
The Kings, who on Thursday heard that in the guise of the Southern Kings they will replace the Lions in next year's Super Rugby competition, will look to continue their unbeaten run in South Africa's First Division – effectively the second tier of domestic rugby.
They will look to do the 'double' over reigning First Division champions the Boland Cavaliers in Port Elizabeth on Friday, when they meet in what could be a season-defining second-round match for both sides.
The unbeaten Kings edged the Cavaliers 25-20 in the first match of the season in Wellington, and are currently the overwhelming favourites for the title.
A bonus-point victory for the Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will give the Eastern Cape team a commanding lead at the top of the standings, especially as their two main rivals, the Leopards and Pumas, who are six and seven points adrift respectively as the expanded eight-team competition enters its second round this weekend, play each other at the same time.
The Cavaliers have had a nightmare season so far, losing their opening four matches before drawing against the SWD Eagles and showing signs of recovering in posting big victories over the lowly Falcons and Border Bulldogs.
But the men from Wellington still remain in sixth place on the log, a full 15 points behind the Kings and six points behind the fifth-placed Griffons.
In contrast to the Cavaliers, the Welkom-based Griffons got off to a flyer this season, winning their first four matches to lead the standings in the early stages.
But three defeats in their last three matches, against the EP Kings, SWD Eagles and Pumas, have seen the Griffons slip down the rankings, and they will want to get back to winning ways when they host the seventh-placed Falcons.
In Friday's other match, perennial wooden-spoonists the Border Bulldogs are at home to the Eagles, who are currently lying fourth and who remain dark horses for the title this year.
Eastern Province Kings flyhalf George Whitehead tops the First Division point-scoring log after Round Seven, with 89 points made up of three tries, 16 conversions and 14 penalties. Behind Whitehead in second place is Leopards flyhalf Andre Pretorius on 74, with Boland Cavaliers pivot Elgar Watts third on 67.
Leopards wing Allister Kettledas and teammate Danie Dames still lead the try-scoring stakes with seven touchdowns apiece, while Philip de Wet, also of the Leopards, and Pumas' JW Jonker each have six tries.
Round Eight fixtures:
Griffons v Falcons
Date: Friday, August 17
Kick-off: 15.00
Venue: North West Stadium, Welkom
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistants: Jaco Kotze, Francois de Bruin
TMO: Johan Greeff
Last meeting: 30 June in Kempton Park (First round): Griffons won 37-27
Pumas v Leopards
Date: Friday, August 17
Kick-off: 19.00
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Ben Crouse
Assistants: Lesego Legoete, Stefan Breytenbach
Last meeting: 30 June in Potchefstroom (First round): Leopards won 32-23
EP Kings v Boland
Date: Friday, August 17
Kick-off: 19.00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistants: Quinton Immelman, Fumanekile Yamile
Last meeting: 29 June in Wellington (First round): Kings won 25-20
Border Bulldogs v SWD Eagles
Date: Friday, August 17
Kick-off: 19.00
Venue: Buffalo City Municipal Stadium, East London
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistants: Rodney Bonaparte, Loyiso Bosman
Last meeting: 29 June in George (First round): Eagles won 46-8
