Isuzu Southern Davids head coach Deon Davids has selected an experienced match-day squad to face the Cheetahs at the Madibaz Stadium on Friday.
There are six changes to the starting XV that lost to Edinburgh at Murrayfield two weeks ago.
Loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira will make a return to the side, together with hooker Michael Willemse in the changes to the front row.
Flanker Henry “Bakkies” Brown will also make a return to the team following a three-month injury layoff after having recovered from an ankle injury.
In the backline, Springbok winger Bjorn Basson makes a return in the No11 jersey, while Berton Klaasen will again form a midfield partnership with Tertius Kruger.
Ntabeni Dukisa will earn a starting berth at flyhalf, replacing Martin du Toit who will be on the bench.
Andisa Ntsila also returns to play after recovering from a knee injury to provide loose-forward cover.
Prop Rossouw de Klerk been included on the bench following his recovery from a chest injury.
“We have selected a rather experienced side this week as we are fortunate to have quite a few of our players back from some lengthy injuries,” Davids said.
“We know that this derby against the Cheetahs will be a tough encounter, so we are happy to be able pick from a large pool of players in order to have one of the strongest possible sides for the important match.”
The teams:
Southern Kings: (Nos 15 to 9): Masixole Banda, Yaw Penxe, Tertius Kruger, Berton Klaasen, Bjorn Basson, Ntabeni Dukisa, Stefan Ungerer. (Nos 1 to 8): Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse, Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Stephan Greeff, JC Astle (capt), CJ Velleman, Bakkies Brown, Ruaan Lerm. Replacements: (Nos 16 to 23): Alandre van Rooyen, Lupumlo Mguca, Rossouw de Klerk , Andries van Schalkwyk, Andisa Ntsila, Sarel Pretorius, Martin du Toit, Harlon Klaasen.
Cheetahs: (Still to be named).
Referee: Quinton Immelman.
The match will be shown live on SS1 at 7pm.