Steven Sykes is back to lead the Kings as one of seven changes to their starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Sharks in Durban.
The fit-again captain will start at No 4 lock, with Schalk Oelofse shifting to No 5 and JC Astle to the bench.
Loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira returns from a two-game absence to play in an all-new front row alongside Martin Ferreira and Jacobie Adriaanse. Last week’s front rowers Sti Sithole and Edgar Marutlulle miss out on selection altogether, with coach Deon Davids confirming Marutlulle is battling flu. Tom Botha is on the bench.
The only other change to the pack sees Stefan Willemse starting at blindside flank ahead of JP Jonck.
In the backline, Davids has opted for a new halfback pairing in Louis Fouché and Ntando Kebe.
Hooker Martin Bezuidenhout, flank Jacques Engelbrecht and scrumhalf Kevin Luiters are the new additions to the bench.
Kings – 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Louis Fouché, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Stefan Willemse, 5 Schalk Oelofse, 4 Steven Sykes (c), 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Tom Botha, 19 JC Astle, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Leighton Eksteen.
Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
