Meli Rokoua will start at outside centre for the Kings against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Rokoua is promoted to the run-on XV after playing an instrumental role in the Kings’ come-from-behind win over Edinburgh last week when he came off the bench.

Harlon Klaasen drops out of the squad, with Berton Klaasen taking Rokoua’s spot on the bench.

In the pack, Ruaan Lerm returns at No 8 in place of Andisa Ntsila, who will be expected to make an impact as a substitute.

Veteran Pumas prop De-Jay Terblanche will make his Pro14 debut off the bench, after joining the Kings on a short-term loan deal earlier in the week.

‘We know what to expect from the Cheetahs,’ said Kings coach Deon Davids. ‘They have some smart coaches, so we know they will have one or two things up their sleeves. What is important for us is to improve on the fundamentals – particularly the scrums and lineouts.’

Kings – 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Meli Rokoua, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Ntabeni Dukisa, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Tienie Burger, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 JC Astle, 4 Andries van Schalkwyk, 3 Luvuyo Pupuma, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Alandre Van Rooyen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 De-Jay Terblanche, 19 Stephan Greeff, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Bader Pretorius, 23 Berton Klaasen.

Photo: www.pro14rugby.org