Kings injuries forces Davids' hand
Following the side’s closely contested 35-32 win over the Sharks last week, there were two additional casualties added to the already long injury list. Instrumental loose forward Chris Cloete sustained a concussion and fullback Masixole Banda picked up a hamstring injury.
The latest injury came on Thursday at training, Wilhelm van der Sluys picked up a groin injury and forced to be withdrawn from participating in this weekend’s match.
Stefan Willemse, who has been on the bench for the Southern Kings’ last two matches, will slot in the No.6 jersey as a replacement for Cloete, while Namibian international Chrysander Botha will start at fullback in Banda’s place.
Lubabalo Mtyanda will slot into lock as a replacement for Van der Sluys.
Mzwanele Zito is in on the bench as lock cover, while Thembelani Bholi makes a return to the team as loose-forward cover.
"I think we had a good week, but unfortunately we lost a bit of continuity with some of our players out with an injury. However, I am happy for the guys that will now get an opportunity, and they are quite eager to get this chance. It is up to them to show that they can step up," Davids said.
"Cloete’s performances speak for themselves – he is a quality player. It will be difficult to get the exact same performance from any other player, but different players bring different attributes.In this case, Stefan Willemse, combining with Andy [Andisa Ntsila] will bring something different.
"Van der Sluys has been a key man for us in the line-out. We have used Tyler Paul there before and also Giant [Lubabalo Mtyanda] is an experienced guy. I don’t think there will be too many distractions, I think they can pull it off,"
Kings: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Alshaun Bock, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje (captain), 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Stefan Willemse, 5 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Haupt, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Johan Steyn, 22 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 23 Nicolaas Hanekom
Date: Saturday, May 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.30 (17.30 GMT, 3.30 AUS Time, Sunday, May 21)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
