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Cape Town - It has been a tough season already for the Kings in Super Rugby 2016, and it is likely to get even tougher when they take on the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.
Starting the tournament with a squad thrown together at the last minute and without a pre-season of any substance, the Kings have been brave in their three matches to date against the Sharks, Chiefs and Crusaders.
But that has not stopped them from shipping 158 points this season - comfortably the most of any other side in the tournament.
Having been handed a tough draw that sees them face all five of the New Zealand teams, there appears to be little to celebrate at the moment for coach Deon Davids and his side.
And that is precisely why captain Steven Sykes's 100th Super Rugby cap on Friday should be worth celebrating.
Up against the odds in a huge way, the Kings can at least draw on the experience of their leader.
Sykes, now 31, has made the majority of his 99 Super Rugby appearances for the Sharks.
The towering lock made his Super Rugby debut for the Sharks against the Bulls on February 3 2007 – he has played 69 matches for the Durbanites, 14 for the Cheetahs and is on 16 for the Kings.
During that time he picked up a runners-up medal in 2007 - that famous final between the Sharks and the Bulls in Durban not falling his way.
Since then, Sykes has played Super Rugby for the Kings (in 2013) as well as the Cheetahs last year.
The towering lock, born in Middelburg in the Eastern Cape, took to Twitter on Thursday to express his delight at reaching the milestone.
Kick-off on Friday is at 08:35.
Really cant wait for tomorrow to play my 100th @Super18Rugby game, thanks for all the support and every opportunity pic.twitter.com/AqI6HR4cig
— Steven Sykes (@Steven4Sykes) March 24, 2016
