Betham is the latest beneficiary of the only remaining question in Cheika's mind: which wingers best complement fullback Israel Folau and the Waratahs' game plan on any given week.

In 10 games he will have started seven different combinations, using Folau, Betham, Cam Crawford, Drew Mitchell, Tom Kingston and Lachie Turner.

"I'm just keeping it turning around at the moment," Cheika said after naming Betham and Crawford to start with Folau in Port Elizabeth.

"I think the boys have different skill sets so we're trying to run it according to the games that we've got. I think they're very equal the two lads [Betham and Kingston, who started against the Bulls]."

After warming the bench in February, starting four games on the trot then switching back to the bench in recent weeks, Betham will make his fifth run-on appearance this year.

Drew Mitchell was the most consistent starter with Folau in the back three until he hurt his hamstring early on in the Waratahs' win over the Chiefs three weeks ago.

Mitchell is expected back for the side's home game against the Stormers next week, adding yet another option.

The choice wasn't always clear when players were so evenly matched, Cheika said.

"I think Peter [Betham] has shown that he is probably a bit more direct in the way he plays; Tom [Kingston] is more of a finisher and he works really hard behind the ball, so it's horses for courses," he said.

"But I think they're going to line up with a lot of numbers in the defensive line so we're going to be using [Betham] a bit more off his wing."

While the back line gets used to constant change, the pack is enjoying continued stability, but only as far as selection.

On the training pitch, the forwards came in for their share of constructive criticism following the side's disappointing loss to the Bulls.

As well as set-piece work, Cheika drilled them under the high ball, calling their fielding of the kick-off "without a doubt the poorest part" of the Waratahs' game.

"When we score points we need to secure the ball and look really comfortable in making our way out [of their half]," he said.

"We're happy to run the ball out or kick the ball out if we want to, but we must secure more balls from the opposition's kick-offs. When we score points we can't be giving away the momentum of the game straight away."

While the Waratahs should have the measure of the Kings' back line, the home side's five-eighth, Demetri Catrakilis, is expected to test the visitors with his kicking game.

The Vodacom Cup player of the year in 2012, Catrakilis made his Super Rugby debut boasting a 91 per cent conversion rate last season.

"They've got very good kickers, and they'll be able to get a lot of height, and I want to get our guys better," Cheika said. "It's not a one-week operation, it's about practising those things every day."

Six competition points behind the lowest-ranked wildcard contender on the ladder, the Waratahs are quickly approaching must-win territory.

But Cheika remains fixed on the endgame. "I'm not driven like that, where I have to have this or that to be a success," he said. "I'm looking at the changes in the way we're behaving, the way we're training and the way we're performing, and I'm hoping that the accumulated effect of all that nets us results as well."

Waratahs: Israel Folau, Cam Crawford, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Peter Betham, Bernard Foley, Brendan McKibbin (right), Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis (capt), Kane Douglas, Sitaleki Timani, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Paddy Ryan, John Ulugia, Pat McCutcheon, Mitchell Chapman, Will Skelton, Matt Lucas, Ben Volavola, Tom Kingston.