Howard Mnisi has recovered from injury and will lead the Kings in the final match of three-game overseas tour against Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday.

Mnisi, who suffered a calf injury earlier in the season, takes the armband from No 8 Ruaan Lerm, who captained the team in their 50-0 loss to the Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

The 30-year-old centre will pair up in midfield with Erich Cronje, who left the field last weekend following a knock to the neck, but has fully recovered to continue the good vein of form he has shown in the matches he has played so far.

The Kings have named an exciting back three including on-loan fullback Scott van Breda, who will start alongside youngsters Josiah Twum-Boafo and Christopher Hollis.

The Worcester Warriors utility back replaces the evergreen Masixole Banda, who is receiving some needed rest this week, having played in all of the Southern Kings matches so far.

Aston Fortuin, who has been one of the standout forwards this season, will also be managed after playing almost every minute of the Kings’ matches so far this season. The talented lock will play from the bench this week, with Jerry Sexton replacing him in the starting XV.

Experienced scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius will provide half-back cover from the bench as he will make his first appearance for the Isuzu Southern Kings this season after recovering from a leg injury.

Kings – 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Christopher Hollis, 13 Howard Mnisi (c), 12 Erich Cronje, 11 Josiah Twum-Boafo, 10 JT Jackson, 9 Josh Allderman, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Thembelani Boli, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 Jerry Sexton, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Xandre Vos, 18 Lupumlo Mguca, 19 Aston Fortuin, 20 Ruaan Lerm, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 S’bura Sithole.

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images