Trio returns from injury to boost Kings

Cape Town - The Southern Kings have been boosted by the return of three key players from injury this week. 

Loose-forwards Chris Cloete (knee), Sintu Manjezi (knee) and hooker Tango Balekile (shoulder) returned to full training with the rest of the squad on Monday.

While the trio will be involved in full contact training with the squad this week, they will not be made available for the Southern Kings’ friendly match against the Border Bulldogs in East London on Saturday.

As a precautionary measure Cloete, Manjezi and Balekile will sit out the match at Buffalo Stadium (kick-off at 17:15), but will be available to play in the Southern Kings’ last friendly match against the SWD Eagles in Port Elizabeth on February 11, before the side kicks off the Super Rugby campaign against the Jaguares on February 25.

Winger Wandile Mjekevu continues to make good progress and is in his final stage of rehab for his foot injury.

Still on the long-term injury list is flank CJ Velleman (knee), who is expected back on the field in April.