Kings to face Edinburgh's Scotland heroes
In the backs, Phil Burleigh returns to partner James Johnstone in the centre after making his international debut off the bench in last Saturday's record 53-24 win over Australia at Murrayfield.
In the pack, Simon Berghan links up with hooker Neil Cochrane and fellow international prop Rory Sutherland who makes his first start of the season at loosehead.
In the second row, Grant Gilchrist also returns from Scotland duty having come on as a replacement against the All Blacks and starting in the eight-try rout of Australia. He partners club captain Fraser Mckenzie.
Fijian international Viliame Mata keeps his place in the back row and is joined by the experienced duo of Jamie Ritchie and Cornell du Preez, both of whom joined the squad in South Africa following their contribution to Scotland's year-end Test campaign.
"I'm delighted to have some of the Scotland guys come out and add to the squad," Cockerill said.
"There's obviously a good vibe around what they've achieved over the last few weeks, so you'd like to think that will have a ripple effect on what they do now they're back with us.
"The Kings are a dangerous team. They have a lot of pace in their back three, are very lively at fly half, and as you would imagine, have a big forward pack. We've worked hard again this week and are going into the game with a positive mindset around how we're going to play.
"These points are going to be important when the season comes around to qualifying for Europe or trying to push for a top-three spot if we can. We won't be taking the Kings lightly however. They pushed Ulster and Scarlets all the way in their last few games so we've got to get things right on Friday."
Teams:
Southern Kings: 15 Yaw Penxe/Masixole Banda, 14 Michael Makase, 13 Harlon Klassen, 12 Berton Klaasen, 11 Anthonie Volmink/Akshaun Bock, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Rudi van Rooyen, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Martinus Burger, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Schalk Ferreira (captain).
Replacements: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Luvuyo Pupuma, 18 Pieter Scholtz, 19 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20 Dries van Schalkwyk, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Barend Janse van Rensburg, 23 Jacques Nel.
Edinburgh: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 James Johnstone, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Nathan Fowles, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 6 Viliame Mata, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Fraser McKenzie (captain), 3 Simon Berghan, 2 Neil Cochrane, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Cameron Fenton, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Ben Toolis, 20 Luke Crosbie, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Chris Dean, 23 Glenn Bryce.
Date: Friday, December 1
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT, 17.15 UK time)
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
