The Kings will take on World Cup-bound side Georgia, in the first of their 2019-20 PRO14 warm-up matches in Tbilisi next month.

The Port Elizabeth-based side received an invitation from the Georgia Rugby Union to play friendly match at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Tuesday, 27 August. The match will kick off at 7:15pm.

The match will also serve as a warm-up for Georgia, who are in Pool D in the World Cup, alongside Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay.

‘Georgia was set to take on Russia in their World Cup warm-up match, but the Russian team withdrew. We were the first team that the Georgian Rugby Union subsequently contacted to see if we were available,’ Kings team manager Zingi Hela confirmed.

‘We duly accepted the invitation which would work in favour of both teams – Georgia for their World Cup preparations, and for us ahead of the start of our PRO14 2019-20 season.

‘We could not have asked for a better opponent at this stage than a national team that is renowned for their strong forwards pack and fierce scrummagers. This will undoubtedly be a timely opportunity for our own team to measure themselves before the start of the new season.’

The Georgian side is coached by New Zealand-born Milton Haig, who was previously an assistant coach of the New Zealand U21 and Chiefs Super Rugby sides.

The team remains unbeaten in 2019 having beaten Russia, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Romania so far this year.

Travelling details for then Kings will be confirmed closer to the time of the clash.

Photo: Pro14