Coach Deon Davids says the Southern Kings continue to benefit from the input of Saru’s coaching mobi-unit as they prepare for their return to Vodacom Super Rugby.

The mobi-unit has begun a week’s worth of intensive training with the Kings squad at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth, with the side set to kick off their Super Rugby campaign against the Sharks on 27 February.

Among those working with the Kings this week are scrum guru Pieter de Villiers, kicking coach Louis Koen and highly-regarded former Stormers defensive coach Jacques Nienaber.

Davids said he was excited to be able to draw on the expertise of such coaches.

‘We must understand that nowadays in rugby, it’s not about one person, it’s a team sport. If you can draw from experience, in terms of people adding value to what you are doing, it would be silly not to use it.

‘If I can take my ideas and link it to what the consultants from the mobi-unit can bring to the team, it can only be to the benefit of the players.'

Davids’s day-to-day coaching team includes Mzwandile Stick (backline coach), Barend Pieterse (forwards coach) and Nadus Niewoudt (conditioning coach).

‘Every decision we take has to be in the interest of the players,’ Davids said. ‘I believe that we have to give the player everything you have available to him, [and then] you will get the best out of him.

‘I believe that if you do that, it will ensure the team as a whole will perform better. Quality coaching is part of that, and I’m looking forward to having the mobi-unit here.’

The Kings’ squad for Super Rugby is continuing to take shape, with newcomers such as Chris Cloete, JC Astle and Tazz Fuzani all believed to be in training.