The Kings have made six changes to their starting lineup for Friday's match against the Lions at Ellis Park.

Edgar Marutlulle will captain the side in the absence of Steven Sykes, who will miss the game for personal reasons, with Schalk Oelofse coming into the second row.

Sithembiso Sithole and Jacobie Adriaanse, who is returning from injury, replace Schalk Ferreira and Tom Botha at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with Ferreira and Botha shifting to the bench.

In a fourth change to the pack, Andisa Ntsila is set to make his Super Rugby debut at openside flank in place of the injured CJ Velleman.

In the backline, Junior Boks scrumhalf James Hall will start ahead of Ntando Kebe, who moves to the bench, while Louis Fouché rotates with Elgar Watts at flyhalf.

On the bench, lock Sintu Manjezi and Junior Boks centre Jeremy Ward will make their Super Rugby debuts if they come on.

Kings – 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 James Hall, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 John-Charles Astle, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Edgar Marutlulle (c), 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Subs: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Ntando Kebe, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Jeremy Ward.

Photo: Getty Images