Sykes back to lead Kings

Editor

Kings head coach Deon Davids has made just three changes to his starting XV, including one rotational tweak, ahead of facing the Stormers.

Steven Sykes returns to captain the side, replacing Schalk Oelofse at lock, while Dewald Human gets a starting berth at fly-half for the first time. Oelofse is currently on the bench, but had a niggle with his shoulder during training this morning, and Davids has announced Sintu Manjezi as a possible alternate for him.

"I am still waiting for feedback from our physios regarding Schalk, but if he is not available it would be a straight swap with Sintu," he said.

Davids has also rotated Aidon Davis and Jacques Engelbrecht at number eight, with Engelbrecht starting.

"We thought we would use this opportunity to see what Dewald Human can do at 10. He has been training in this position leading up to the game and we have liked what we have seen," he said.

"We have previously had him on the bench as a replacement fly-half, but have had to utilise him as full-back, due to injuries.

"Dewald has good vision, a good passing game as well as being a good kicker in both tactical kicking and kicking to poles, so we are really excited to see him playing there."

Davids said the team had enjoyed the season and were looking forward to the last game.

"We are going to enjoy ourselves and are looking forward to the challenge," he said.

Kings: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Dewald Human, 9 James Hall, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 JC Astle, 4 Steven Sykes (c), 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Schalk Oelofse/Sintu Manjezi, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Jeremy Ward

Date: Saturday, July 16
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:05 local (15:05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Rodney Bonaparte (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)