Beleaguered Mentz wants a Battle

Despite a number of injury concerns, the coach will not accept a repeat of the hapless performance against the Griquas over the weekend.

"Each player accepts that we really have to take a big step up  and we take full responsibility for our performance [against the Griquas]," Mentz said.

However, the coach will understand the difficulty of the task he faces against the Kings, who showed some great spirit in rallying with 14 men to beat a very good Free State Cheetahs team 32-24, in Port Elizabeth last Friday.

Mentz will be hoping that his Springbok prop, Vincent Koch, will be available.

Koch is awaiting test results on a knee injury he sustained while with the Bok training squad.

His presence in the scrum will go a long way in helping the Pumas record their first win in three matches.

The last time they won in the Currie Cup was a 15-13 victory over the self-same Kings in Port Elizabeth.

Bernado Botha will undergo a concussion test on Monday, while Hoffman Maritz will have an x-ray to check for a possible broken finger.

Marnus Schoeman should be available, though he has been booked off for Monday with a thigh and elbow bruise.

Mentz will undoubtedly hope that all his charges will be fit and ready, as they try to get back into the race for a Currie Cup semifinal spot.

"We will do everything in our power in the next two days to make sure that we give a much improved performance against the Kings on Friday," added the coach.

John-Wessel Bell  is out with a hamstring and  it is not known when he will return.

Jacques Momberg has a broken thumb and should be back training in four weeks.