Kings banking on Bok's bulk
Eastern Province Kings coach Carlos Spencer is hoping experienced Springbok prop Christoffel van der Linde will bring some stability to their set-pieces.
The Kings host the resurgent Blue Bulls at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a Currie Cup Round Six match in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
The big prop, who has played 75 Test matches for South Africa and is a 2007 World Cup winner, replaces Tom Botha in the front row.
The Kings' New Zealand coach, Spencer, said he is hopeful the veteran would add some sturdiness to the front row.
"CJ [van der Linde] will add some stability up front and we have gone for a split of five forwards and two backs in our replacements," Spencer said.
"We have included two props on the bench [Bennie Uys and Simon Kerrod) as CJ will probably not go the full 80 minutes."
The Kings have been regularly penalised for scrum infringements this season and it is a problem Spencer will be aiming to rectify against the Bulls – whose scrum has shown improvement in recent weeks.
After a lengthy injury lay-off, Van der Linde made his first appearance for the Kings off the bench against Western Province in Cape Town last weekend.
Spencer made several other changes to the team who were outplayed 49-14 by the Capetonians.
Devin Oosthuizen, also back from injury, returns on the flank, with Paul Schoeman moving to No.8 in place of Aidon Davis.
Gary van Aswegen has recovered from a groin injury and slots in at flyhalf, with George Whitehead dropping out, while Shane Gates is back at inside centre in place of Dwayne Jenner.
"We have included Devin in the hope that he can up the workrate in the loose forward department, and he also deserves an opportunity after an injury," Spencer said.
"We have also included Darron Nell on the bench to add some experience and physicality during the game. Shane Gates has had a bit of a rest with a week off, so we have put him back at inside centre."
The Kings have been hit by a number of players suffering from chest infections, including captain Steven Sykes.
The big lock, however, said he would be ready for Friday's encounter.
Both Siyanda Grey and Thembelani Bholi are sick with chest infections, but Shaun McDonald, who sustained a cut above the eye against Province last Friday, has been declared fit for the Bulls encounter.
Eastern Province Kings: 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Ronnie Cooke, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Kevin Luiters, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Devon Oosthuizen, 6 Shaun McDonald, 5 Steven Sykes (captain), 4 David Bulbring, 3 Christoffel van der Linde, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Mike van Vuuren, 17 Simon Kerrod, 18 Bennie Uys, 19 Darron Nel, 20 Stefan Willemse, 21 Tobie Botes, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa.
Date: Friday, September 12
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant referees: Christie du Preez, Vusi Msibi
TMO: Jason Jaftha
