The EP Kings have been forced into late changes for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas, with Luke Watson and Stefan Willemse withdrawn due to leg injuries.

Watson's unavailability is a particularly big blow for the Kings, with Thembelani Bholi replacing the experienced loose forward in the starting lineup, while Steven Sykes will take over the captaincy.

Cameron Lindsay has taken the place of Stefan Willemse on the bench

The EP Kings had already been forced into a backline reshuffle for this match as a result of a knee injury to flyhalf George Whitehead, while inside centre Tim Whitehead failed to overcome a concussion.

As a result, JP du Plessis shifts from 13 to 12, while experienced Ronnie Cooke comes in at outside centre, with Karlo Aspeling taking over at flyhalf.

The Kings are already without flyhalves Elgar Watts and Gary van Aswegen, who remain on the injured list.

In the other change to the starting lineup for Friday's match, Jacques Engelbrecht slots in at blindside flanker for Stefan Willemse, who is carrying an injury niggle.

EP Kings – 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 JP du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Karlo Aspeling, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Jacques Engelbrecht, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Steven Sykes (c), 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Lizo Gqoboka, 17 Edgar Marutlulle, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Cameron Lindsay, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Hansie Graaff.

Photo: Luke Walker/Gallo Images