Kings coach Deon Davids has named his strongest available 28-man squad for their three-match tour of Ireland and Wales.

The Kings is set to embark on a daunting tour, which will see them take on the Ospreys, Ulster and Leinster on consecutive weeks.

Notable absentees from the travelling squad include flyhalf Oliver Zono and fullback Ntabeni Dukisa, who are both likely to be out for an extended period of time due to injury.

Also missing are prop Martin Dreyer, scrumhalf Rudi Van Rooyen, wing Alshaun Bock and forward Dries Van Schalkwyk. All four are still recovering from injury niggles, but are expected to fit iin time for the Kings’ next home game.

In better news, front rower Luvuyo Pupuma and wing Michael Makase make a welcome return to the squad.

‘I believe we’ve picked the strongest squad available to us and I have no doubt the players will give a good account of themselves over the next few weeks,’ Davids said.

‘As a squad we have shown consistent improvement in our play as the season has progressed and it’s important to me that we continue to do so. Having said that, we know that we have three extremely tough fixtures ahead of us and that we will have to be at our best. Not only will we be up against formidable opposition but we’ll also have to adapt to the icy conditions of the northern hemisphere winter,’ he added.

Kings squad – Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse (Captain), Pieter Scholtz, Stephan Greeff, Bobby de We, Andisa Ntsila, Tienie Burger, Ruaan Lerm, Rowan Gouws, Martin du Toit, Anthony Volmink, Luzuko Vulindlu, Berton Klaasen, Michael Makase, Yaw Penxe, Johan Smith, Stephan Coetzee, Tango Balekile, Luvuyo Pupuma, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Jurie van Vuuren, Lindokuhle Welemu, Eital Bredenkamp, Godlen Masimla, JP Smith, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Harlon Klaasen, Masixole Banda.

Photo: Kings Rugby