TOWERING EP Kings lock and pack enforcer Steven Sykes has been ruled out of action for three months after suffering a foot injury.
This was confirmed by Kings head coach Carlos Spencer, who said it was a big loss as the team continue to prepare for their Currie Cup Premier Division comeback.
The loss has been offset with news from Pretoria that former Southern Kings lock David Bulbring is returning to Port Elizabeth after a spell at the Bulls.
Bulbring led the Bulls Vodacom Cup team, but did not get a chance to play Super Rugby.
"Unfortunately, we will be without Steven for three months. It is a big loss, but we do have young players coming through," Spencer said.
"We can only focus on the guys we do have and I am sure we will be fine. But when you lose someone of that experience, he is hard to replace."
EP Kings chief executive Charl Crous confirmed Bulbring will be rejoining from next week on a contract that runs until the end of the 2016 rugby season.
"David was one of our key players in our Southern Kings campaign last year and we were sad to see him go but are excited to have him back on a long term contract."
"Being a player from the region, David did really well in Super Rugby last year and I am sure he will play a critical role in our Currie Cup campaign as we prepare for our re-entry into Super Rugby in 2016," Crous said.
Bulbring was born in Port Elizabeth and represented Eastern Province at the 2007 under-18 Craven Week.
He then joined the Golden Lions, making his debut for the team in the 2009 Vodacom Cup, which resulted in him being called up to the South Africa national U20 rugby union team for the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship. In 2010, Bulbring represented both UJ in the Varsity Cup and Golden Lions in the 2010 Vodacom Cup, culminating a call-up to the Lions Super Rugby team, representing them in their final Super Rugby game of the season against the Cheetahs.
He then played for the Golden Lions in the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division.
The giant lock was Golden Lions' captain for the 2011 Vodacom Cup competition and made two further Super Rugby appearances. He was then part of the squad that won the 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division.
In 2012, Bulbring moved to the Eastern Province Kings and played Super Rugby.
"We are doing the right things but just not finishing," Kings skipper Darron Nell said after the Wales defeat.
"The Kings are getting to the right areas when we have the ball. Then there is a turnover and they go and run 30 to 40 metres for a runaway try.
"As our coach Carlos Spencer said there are a hell of a lot of positives we can take out of this game. I just think that it is our execution at times which comes down to individual errors." - George Byron