SOUTHERN Kings backline coach Carlos Spencer, regarded as one of the most exciting flyhalves of all time, wants his team to show plenty of ambition when they face the Cheetahs in a Super Rugby friendly at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (5pm kickoff ).

A former All Black star, "King Carlos" was brought to the Kings to add fresh impetus to the back division and he will have a chance to run the rule over his players against what is expected to be a full-strength Cheetahs outfit.

"I was a player and now I am a coach and I would like the guys to be ambitious," Spencer said.

"We have to have structure and stick to that structure. But within that structure, I would like them to be ambitious if that means having a go from their own 22. I have not got a problem with that, but we do have a structure.

"The game is all about momentum and if we can create momentum with the ball in hand, then I am happy. I am a running coach, not a kicking coach in terms of game plan, so if we can run ourselves out of trouble I am happy with that, but we have to stick to structures," said Spencer, who played 35 games for the All Blacks.

After Saturday's clash against the Cheetahs, the Kings face the Lions on February 1 and the Stormers six days later.

One of the players who will enjoy the chance to run at the Free Staters is teen wing Sergeal Petersen who has been included in the starting line-up after missing several games last season because of injury.

Kings caretaker coach and former Springbok prop Robbie Kempson has chosen team with a blend of youth and experience for what promises to be a testing, physical encounter.

Against the Cheetahs the Kings will feature a young front row comprising props BG Uys and Pieter Stemmet and hooker Dane van der Westhuyzen. They will face a challenging afternoon against Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss and Coenie Oosthuizen.