Kings change three for Pumas

Editor

Eastern Province Kings coach Brent Janse van Rensburg has made three changes to his starting XV for Friday's clash with the Pumas in Port Elizabeth.

In the backline, there are two changes to the side that suffered a 33-25 defeat to the Sharks in Durban last weekend. Ronnie Cooke starts at outside centre where he takes over from JP du Plessis, who shifts in a position to wear the number 12 jersey.

Du Plessis replaces Tim Whitehead who is suffering from concussion. The other change amongst the backs, sees Karlo Aspeling coming in at fly-half to replace George Whitehead who has a knee injury.

The final change is in the forwards where Jacques Engelbrecht takes over from Stefan Willemse on the blindside flank. Willemse will be amongst the replacements alongside utility back Hansie Graaff who is the only new face to the matchday 22.

Eastern Province 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 Luke Watson (captain), 5 Cornell Hess, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Stefan Willemse, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Hansie Graaff.

Date: Friday, August 21
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19:00 (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha, Ruhan Meiring