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Southern Kings v Highlanders, Port Elizabeth

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Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids has announced four changes to his starting lineup against the Pulse Energy Highlanders at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday evening.

Most notable among the changes is the inclusion of CJ Velleman at left flank and Malcolm Jaer, at fullback, both of whom have returned from injury. Jaer replaces Jurgen Visser who is still recovering from a concussion sustained during the game against the Jaguares.

Stefan Willemse then shifts from left to right flank, to cover for Thembelani Bholi, who is out for the rest of the Super Rugby season after a knee operation during the June break.

Davids also brought Tom Botha up from the bench to start at Tighthead Propin place of Jacobie Adriaanse, who is out with a calf strain.

Davids once again rotated flyhalves, with Elgar Watts getting a start while Louis Fouche moves to the bench.

Other changes to the bench include Sti Sithole and Luzuko Vulindlu.

Davids said he was glad to have both Velleman and Jaer back, as both players were itching to get back onto the field of play.

“This is our last home game of the season and we really want to go out there and give our all,” he said.

Davids said the last block had always been identified as a tough leg of the competition, but the team was looking forward to playing the last three matches.

“This is a special group of players, who play for each other and for the jersey week in and week out,” he said.

The match takes place on Saturday, 2 July 2016 at 19h20 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. Referee Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) will be assisted by Jaco van Heerden (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa) and TMO Shaun Veldsman (South Africa).

The Kings earned a 34-27 victory in the last and only time they faced the Highlanders in the competition (Round 13, 2013).

A 29-22 win over the Jaguares in their last fixture means that the Kings have a shot at back-to-back wins for the first time in the competition.

A 45-24 victory against the Toyota Cheetahs in Round 14 means that the Highlanders will be looking for consecutive wins in South Africa for the first time in over a decade (Round 4, 2006).

The Highlanders have conceded only two tries after conceding a turnover so far this season, the equal fewest of any team while the Kings have conceded 17 from the same method, the second most.

Flanker CJ Velleman has won 17 turnovers this campaign, the most of any South African player and the equal second most of any player in the league.

Mark Reddish will play his 50th Super Rugby game on Saturday night. The former Hurricanes player will start at lock against the Kings and will be playing his 19th match for the Highlanders.

Teams:

  • Southern Kings: 15. Malcolm Jaer, 14. Lukhanyo Am, 13. Stefan Watermeyer, 12. Shane Gates (VC), 11. Wandile Mjekevu, 10. Elgar Watts, 09. Ntando Kebe, 08. Aidon Davis, 07. Stefan Willemse, 06. CJ Velleman, 05. JC Astle, 04. Steven Sykes (C), 03. Tom Botha, 02. Edgar Marutlulle, 01. Schalk Ferreira. Reserves: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Justin Ackerman, 19. Schalk Oelofse, 20. Jacques Engelbrecht, 21. Kevin Luiters, 22. Louis Fouche, 23. Luzuko Vulindlu.
  • Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Ash Dixon, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Mark Reddish, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Gareth Evans, 7. Shane Christie (C), 8. Luke Whitelock, 9. Te Aihe Toma, 10. Marty Banks, 11. Ryan Tongia, 12. Rob Thompson, 13. Jason Emery, 14. Jack Wilson, 15. Matt Faddes. Reserves: 16. Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Siosuia Halanukonuka, 19. Liam Squire, 20. Dan Pryor, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Lima Sopoaga, 23. Patrick Osborne
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.