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Port Elizabeth - Southern Kings head coach, Deon Davids, has made nine changes to his starting line-up ahead of the Super Rugby clash against the 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 light concussion sustained against the 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 No 8.
Among the backs, 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 sees 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 include replacement Martin Bezuidenhoudt, Jacques Engelbrecht and Justin Ackerman, along with Botha and Astle.
Backs reserves are Ntando Kebe, Stefan Watermeyer and Leighton Eksteen.
Saturday’s clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is scheduled for 17:10.
Teams:
Southern 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 (captain), 4. Schalk Oelofse, 3. Jacobie Adriaanse, 2. Martin Ferreira, 1. Schalk Ferreira
Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Tom Botha, 18. Justin Ackerman, 19. JC Astle, 20. Jacques Engelbrecht, 21. Ntando Kebe, 22. Stefan Watermeyer, 23. Leighton Eksteen
Lions
15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Corne Fourie
Substitutes: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 JW Bell, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
