Kings team announced to take on Emirates Lions

Apr 21 • General News, Super Rugby • 1250 Views • Comments Off on Kings team announced to take on Emirates Lions

Southern Kings head coach, Deon Davids has made nine changes to his starting line up ahead of the clash against the Emirates Lions this weekend.

The Southern Kings tight five sees Schalk Ferreira starting in place of Sti Sithole at loosehead, Martin Ferreira in pace 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 has cleared his medical, following a light concussion sustained against the Vodacom Bulls, and will again captain the side. He makes a positional change to right lock, while Schalk Oelofse comes up from the bench to left lock, to rotate with JC Astle.

Chris Cloete retains his position at 6 flank, and is joined by Thembelani Bholi, who makes his return from a knee injury in place of Stefan Willemse. CJ Velleman comes up from the bench in place of Aidon Davis at 8th man.

At the back, the scrumhalf and flyhalf pairing remain the same, with James Hall and Louis Fouche respectively.

Davids has, however, moved Malcolm Jaer to fullback in place of Jurgen Visser, which see’s JP du Plessis move up from the bench to start at left wing.

Shane Gates returns from a foot injury that saw him sit out the Bulls game, and will once again be vice captain. Gates replaces Watermeyer, who moves to the

Lukhanyo Am retains his spot at outside centre, with Luzuko Vulindlu staying on at right wing.

On the bench, the forwards reserves includes replacement Martin Bezuidenhoudt, Jacques Engelbrecht and Justin Ackerman, along with Botha and Astle.

Backs reserves are Ntando Kebe, Stefan Watermeyer and Leighton Eksteen.

The team:
15. Malcolm Jaer
14. Luzuko Vulindlu
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Shane Gates
11. JP du Plessis
10. Louis Fouche
09. James Hall
08. CJ Velleman
07. Thembelani Bholi
06. Chris Cloete
05. Steven Sykes (C)
04. Schalk Oelofse
03. Jacobie Adriaanse
02. Martin Ferreira
01. Schalk Ferreira

Replacements
16. Martin Bezuidenhoudt
17. Tom Botha
18. Justin Ackerman
19. JC Astle
20. Jacques Engelbrecht
21. Ntando Kebe
22. Stefan Watermeyer
23. Leighton Eksteen

The game will be aired on Supersport 1 on Saturday 23 April 17:10 South African Time.