Kings ring the changes for Lions

Editor

Kings head coach Deon Davids has made a number of changes to his starting XV that will host the Lions in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. 

Up front, Schalk Ferreira replaces the injured Sti Sithole at loosehead while hooker Martin Ferreira comes in for the injured Edgar Marutlulle.

Jacobie Adriaanse regains his spot in the starting line-up, after he recovered from a rib injury, which sees Tom Botha being dropped to the bench.

Captain Steven Sykes has been given the nod to play following a mild concussion injury against the Bulls.

He will shift to lock and pair up with Schalk Oelofse, who gets promoted to the run-on side which sees JC Astle named amongst the replacements.

Thembelani Bholi, who makes his return from a knee injury in place of Stefan Willemse, partners with Chris Cloete and CJ Velleman, who replaces Aidon Davis in the starting side, to form the back-row combination.

Speedster Malcolm Jaer has been shifted from his preferred wing position to full-back in place of Jurgen Visser, which sees JP du Plessis being named on the left wing.

Shane Gates replaces Stefan Watermeyer at inside centre with the latter being named amongst the replacements.

Martin Bezuidenhoudt, Jacques Engelbrecht and Justin Ackerman will provide back-up for the forwards from the bench.

Kings: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Shane Gates, 11 JP du Plessis, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 James Hall, 8 CJ Velleman, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Steven Sykes (c), 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Martin Ferreira, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Tom Botha, 18 Justin Ackerman, 19 JC Astle, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Ntando Kebe, 22 Stefan Watermeyer, 23 Leighton Eksteen

Date: Saturday, April 23
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 17:10 local (15:10 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Jaco van Heerden, AJ Jacobs
TMO: Christie du Preez