Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has warned his players about the dangers the Southern Kings will pose this Friday evening given they're fighting for Super Rugby survival next year.
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The Kings are likely to be punted from the competition next year, with the South African Rugby Union set to make a decision on their future by June.
While the Kings have won just a solitary game from seven starts this year, their determination to get a favourable result will be high with the axe hovering.
"The Kings are a very competitive team," Gibson said. "I know they'll be galvanised by the news that's swirling around them and the uncertainty they're facing - very similar to the Rebels' situation. I'm sure they're going to come out and fight and show a real dogged determination that they still deserve to be in the competition."
Motivation, however, for the Waratahs is not diminished after a winning just two games from seven starts.
The Kings got within six points of the Western Force and 13 of the Queensland Reds last week away from home, which Gibson says shows they won't be pushovers when the teams meet at Allianz Stadium.
"It shows what the Kings are capable of," Gibson said. "You've got to respect what they can do. They've got guys out on the wings that can really hurt you.
"They've got a real determination to play a really unstructured style of football. They're a dangerous team and we certainly won't be taking them lightly."
Gibson has dropped Wallabies representative Dean Mumm to the bench but insists it is a decision based on workloads rather than form. Mumm has played 532 minutes of a possible 560 from seven matches this year.
It will be almost a year to the day since Mumm was last benched for NSW; against the Force in round nine last season.
The 57-Test Wallaby will be replaced by second-rower David McDuling but Gibson made it clear Mumm was being rested not dropped, even though the Waratahs are coming off a bye.
"Dean's had a high workload," Gibson said. "He's had seven games, probably played all of just about every minute and Dave's been impressive when he's come on, so we've rewarded him for that performance and given Dean a spell."
In other team news, Rob Horne returns to outside-centre for NSW following a late withdrawal before the Waratahs' match against the Hurricanes; a game they ended up losing 38-28.
Israel Folau slots into fullback, with five-eighth Bernard Foley and inside-centre David Horwitz staying put as the team's chief playmakers.
Gibson said it was a back line he has wanted to try out for some time.
"It's getting our best players on the field," Gibson said. "It's a combination that we've wanted to put out for a while, been limited through injury and opportunity and so it gets a chance to see what it can do."
The Waratahs will be without utility back Andrew Kellaway for up to six weeks after he sustained a hyoid bone fracture (neck) during Randwick's Shute Shield win over Sydney University on Saturday at Coogee Oval.
Kellaway was admitted to hospital on Tuesday evening and is recovering.
"He was in hospital last night with complications around blood in the throat, so that's disappointing for him and I'm sure he'll be back," Gibson said. "He still remains a player of excellent promise."
Prop Tom Robertson will shift over to the tight-head position in place of the suspended Sekope Kepu, while fellow prop Angus Ta'avao gets his first chance of the year off the bench.
Ta'avao has been recovering from a nasty leg injury that sidelined him for six months.
He has only played 20 minutes of club rugby this year and Gibson conceded there was a degree of risk associated with his selection.
"It is a [concern]," Gibson said. "If we get an early injury and he's on, we know he's going to run out of gas. Angus is probably one of our fittest guys. He's going to be a little bit underdone but we will roll with that."
Waratahs team (1-15): Paddy Ryan, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, David McDuling, Will Skelton, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Michael Wells, Jake Gordon, Bernard Foley, Cam Clark, David Horwitz, Rob Horne, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau.
Bench: Hugh Roach, Angus Ta'avao, David Lolohea, Dean Mumm, Jed Holloway, Nick Phipps, Bryce Hegarty, Harry Jones.
