Petersen back for Kings

Port Elizabeth - Try-hungry teenage wing Sergeal Petersen is back in the Kings team to face the Waratahs in a Super Rugby showdown at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (17:05 kick-off).

After missing the Kings' past two games against the Bulls and Cheetahs because of a groin strain, Petersen will add extra bite to the home-team's attack for what promises to be a fiery showdown.

"It is great to have Sergeal back for the Waratahs clash," said Kings skipper Andries Strauss.

"Sergeal is obviously a good talent and has proved to be a good finisher for us in the past couple of games. It is good to have that brilliance back in the backline and I hope he can start off where he finished off for us."

The much anticipated return of Petersen is the only change to the Kings team that lost 26-12 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

After scoring two dazzling tries on his debut against the Force in February, Kings fans will be hoping for some more magic from the young wing.

Last week Petersen was chosen for the Baby Bok team to compete at the Junior World Cup in France next month.

In their past two matches the Kings have failed to score a try, and Petersen will add extra cut and thrust to the backline.

Petersen takes the place of Michael Killian, who moves down to the EP Kings team that will face the Bulls in a Vodacom Cup quarter-final showdown in Pretoria on Saturday.

With first-choice skipper Luke Watson still on the bench, Strauss retains the captaincy, while Steven Sykes will lead the forwards against the Australians.

Watson, who made his comeback after a throat injury by leading the team against the Bulls, came off the bench against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

"Luke is making good progress," Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said.

"He will get more game time and we are pretty positive that he should be able to start the following week against the Highlanders.

"That is a big positive for us, so things are going well."

Teams:

Kings:

15. George Whitehead, 14. Sergeal Petersen, 13. Ronnie Cooke, 12. Andries Strauss (captain), 11. Siyanda Grey, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Shaun Venter, 8. Jacques Engelbrecht, 7. Wimpie van der Walt, 6. Cornell du Preez, 5. Rynier Bernado, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Kevin Buys, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. Schalk Ferreira

Substitutes: 16. Virgile Lacombe, 17. Grant Kemp, 18. David Bulbring, 19. Luke Watson, 20. Nicolas Vergallo, 21. Waylon Murray, 22. Siviwe Soyizwapi

Waratahs:

TBA