SOUTHERN Kings lock Steven Sykes has warned the Chiefs his team will be “stepping it up” when the teams clash in a Super Rugby showdown in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening.
The towering forward was speaking after his team slipped to a 21-12 defeat to the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday in front of a sellout 44000 crowd.
“Every week we are stepping it up and we are growing in confidence,” said Sykes.
“The guys are playing for one another and that is the main thing. We believe in one another and we are working hard.
“We are going to bring it on every week. The intensity will be there and so will we,” Sykes promised.
Sykes was signed from the Sharks during the off-season to add extra muscle to the Kings’ pack and has proved his worth in the new franchise’s opening two matches.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons is expected to name his team today for the Chiefs showdown.
Darron Nell captained the Kings against the Sharks, and there is a possibility that regular skipper Luke Watson might be fit to resume his leadership role against the defending champions.
Watson missed the Sharks clash after taking a severe knock to his throat during his team’s opening day win against the Western Force.
“We are looking forward to the Chiefs game and it will be another massive challenge,” said Solomons.
“We played one of last season’s finalists the Sharks on Saturday and on Friday it is the other team who were in the final. This is our first year in the competition.
“Our approach to Super Rugby is to take one game at a time and not to look too far ahead and to deliver a good performance everytime we go out.”
The Kings defence stood up well against the Sharks and prevented their attack-minded rivals from scoring a try.
The Chiefs, who went down 36-34 to the Stormers on Saturday, are expected to put the Kings defence under pressure from the opening whistle and it will be a test for the home side.
Kings all Syked up for the Chiefs
The towering forward was speaking after his team slipped to a 21-12 defeat to the Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday in front of a sellout 44000 crowd.
“Every week we are stepping it up and we are growing in confidence,” said Sykes.
“The guys are playing for one another and that is the main thing. We believe in one another and we are working hard.
“We are going to bring it on every week. The intensity will be there and so will we,” Sykes promised.
Sykes was signed from the Sharks during the off-season to add extra muscle to the Kings’ pack and has proved his worth in the new franchise’s opening two matches.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons is expected to name his team today for the Chiefs showdown.
Darron Nell captained the Kings against the Sharks, and there is a possibility that regular skipper Luke Watson might be fit to resume his leadership role against the defending champions.
Watson missed the Sharks clash after taking a severe knock to his throat during his team’s opening day win against the Western Force.
“We are looking forward to the Chiefs game and it will be another massive challenge,” said Solomons.
“We played one of last season’s finalists the Sharks on Saturday and on Friday it is the other team who were in the final. This is our first year in the competition.
“Our approach to Super Rugby is to take one game at a time and not to look too far ahead and to deliver a good performance everytime we go out.”
The Kings defence stood up well against the Sharks and prevented their attack-minded rivals from scoring a try.
The Chiefs, who went down 36-34 to the Stormers on Saturday, are expected to put the Kings defence under pressure from the opening whistle and it will be a test for the home side.
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