Kings coach Deon Davids is pleased with the ‘work ethic and professionalism’ displayed by a new-look squad.

Lock Philip du Preez, fullback Jurgen Visser and hooker Martin Bezuidenhout are the latest players to join the Southern Kings’ set-up as their Super Rugby squad takes final shape.

The Kings are set to face university side NMMU Madibaz in their first contact session this Friday, and Davids said he was very keen to see how the players would perform after a period of intensive pre-season training in January.

‘I’m quite happy with the way that the boys are buying into the vision that we have in terms of our team structures … I am happy with their work ethic, professionalism and the atmosphere that has been created here that the guys are working under.’

Davids said the session against the Madibaz would primarily serve to simulate much-needed match contact situations.

‘Our outcomes for the session will be, from a defensive point of view, to look at our defensive structure and our attitude in defence and also our ability to play from turnovers. That will be a massive focus from our side.

'Also from an attacking point of view, we want to see how we can gain momentum from our set-pieces and how we keep continuity. To gain continuity and keep continuity for a set piece of time.’

Davids said he would like to provide all his players with some game time, but confirmed that Aidon Davis, Kevin Luiters and Louis Fouché were carrying injuries.

Kings squad – Jacobie Adriaanse, Schalk Oelofse, Malcolm Jaer, Siyanda Grey, JP du Plessis, Stefan Watermeyer, Elgar Watts, Louis Fouché, Shane Gates, James Hall, Kevin Luiters, Aidon Davis, Sipato Junior Pokomela, Cyril-John Velleman, Stefan Willemse, Thembelani Bholi, Cornell Hess, Steven Sykes, Tyler Paul, Schalk Ferreira, Tom Botha, Edgar Marutlulle, Jacques Engelbrecht, Chris Cloete, JC Astle, Lukhanyo Am, Leighton Eksteen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Martin Ferreira, Tazz Fuzani, Philip du Preez, Jurgen Visser, Martin Bezuidenhout.