Port Elizabeth - Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has made nine changes to his starting line-up for clash against the Emirates Lions at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.
The tight five sees Schalk Ferreira starting in place of Sti Sithole at loosehead, Martin Ferreira in place of Edgar Marutlulle at hooker. Marutlulle is out with a knee injury, while Sithole is batting with an elbow injury. Jacobie Adriaanse returns to tighthead - having recovered from a rib injury - in place of Tom Botha, who moves to the bench.
Steven Sykes is fit again to lead the side following his head bump against the Vodacom Bulls. Schalk Oelofse and JC Astle rotate as his lock partner. Thembelani Bholi has recovered from his knee injury and replaces Stefan Willemse, with CJ Velleman starting at No 8 where he takes over from Aidon Davis.
Malcolm Jaer is moved from wing to fullback in place of Jurgen Visser, which means a start for JP du Plessis on the left wing. Shane Gates is also back as vice-captain. Lukhanyo Am retains his spot at outside centre while Luzuko Vulindlu remains on the right wing.
The Kings will face the Lions for the first time in Super Rugby and will be aiming for their first-ever win against South African opposition in the competition.
The Kings have lost five of their last six at home, with their only positive in that run being a 33-28 win against the Sunwolves in Round 6. The Kings have scored all but one of their tries from possession originating from either a lineout (6) or after winning a turnover (5).
Southern Kings team: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 (captain), 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. - African News Agency (ANA)