Another big blow for battered Kings
Captain Steven Sykes has become the latest injury casualty ahead of their Super Rugby Round 12 encounter with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that star loose forwards Cyril-John Velleman and Chris Cloete would not make the trip to Bloemfontein.
Kings coach Deon Davids confirmed that Shane Gates will captain the team in the absence of the veteran lock Sykes, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
"Steven has a grade one ligament tear in his shoulder that will rule him out for a week or two," Davids said.
Davids said Sykes had picked up the injury during the game against the Blues at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last weekend, which was aggravated during the early week training.
"He took a bit of a bump against the Blues, and then on Tuesday he felt sore during training so we sent him for a scan, and unfortunately he's not ready to go," he said.
Davids has had to make four changes to his starting line up due to injuries.
Schalk Oelofse comes up from the bench to fill in for Sykes at lock.
Juan-Pierre Jonck takes up the position at left flank in place of Cloete, who is out with a knee injury.
Aidon Davis comes on at No.8 in place of Velleman, who is out with a fractured thumb.
At the back Davids has brought Phillipus du Plessis in at outside centre to fill in for Stefan Watermeyer, who is out with a tendon injury to his foot.
Cornell Hess comes up onto the bench to fill the spot opened up by Oelofse starting.
Davids said the loss of Sykes, Velleman and Cloete was a big blow to the team, but also meant opportunities for the other players.
"They have really been some of the workhorses in the team up to now, but it is also a great opportunity to see what players like JP [Jonck] and Cornell [Hess] can do coming in.
"They understand the shoes they have to fill and the responsibility that comes with it and we're confident they will step up to the plate," he said.
Southern Kings: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Phillipus du Plessis, 12 Shane Gates (captain), 11 Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 James Hall, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Juan-Pierre Jonck, 5 John-Charles Astle, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Martin Ferreira, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Cornell Hess, 20 Stefan Willemse, 21 Ntando Kebe, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Leighton Eksteen.
Date: Saturday, May 14
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
