Sharks hooker shores up Kings

The South African Rugby Union, who took control of the Kings from the bankrupt Eastern Province Rugby (Pty) Ltd late last year, revealed that players from the Sharks, Border Bulldogs and South Western Districts have joined the 20 players unveiled in December.

Another Sharks player on trial with the Kings is centre Lukhanyo Am (22).

Veteran tighthead prop Jacobie Adriaanse (30), who recently returned to South Africa having spent time with French Top 14 side Montpellier, has been signed on a full-time basis.

The Kings had also secured the services of lock Schalk Oelofse (27), who was on loan from SWD for the season.

The new players on trial from Border include loose forwards Billy Dutton (26) and Onke Dubase (26), hooker Mihlali Mpafi (24), wing Michael Makase (25) and scrumhalf Ntando Kebe (27).

SWD players who joined the new arrivals at the Kings' first training session of the year in Port Elizabeth on Monday included Leighton Eksteen (21), who has played at scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback, as well as Luzuko Vulindlu (28), who has played at centre and wing.

Southern Kings Chief Operating Officer Charl Crous said the players from three domestic unions had joined the Kings on a trial basis, and that a final squad would only be announced towards the end of January.

"We are still in the process of negotiating with other players and with the other unions," Crous said.

"We have made significant progress over the December break and things are looking positive, with more player announcements expected over the coming weeks," Crous added.

Kings coach Deon Davids said there was a sense of quiet optimism among the players at the first orientation meeting on Monday.

"The players are all very positive and excited about the season ahead," Davids said.

Davids said the first week would focus on testing, as well as team building, with a number of workshops also planned.

He added that more rugby orientated training would begin in earnest from next week.

Kings squad (provisional): Jacobie Adriaanse, Schalk Oelofse, Malcolm Jaer, Siyanda Grey, JP du Plessis, Stefan Watermeyer, Elgar Watts, Louis Fouche, Shane Gates, James Hall, Kevin Luiters, Aidon Davis, Sipato Junior Pokomela, Cyril-John Velleman, Stefan Willemse, Thembelani Bholi, Cornell Hess, Steven Sykes, Tyler Paul, Schalk Ferreira, Tom Botha, Edgar Marutlulle.

On trial: Billy Dutton, Onke Dubase, Mihlali Mpafi, Michael Makase, Ntando Kebe, Leighton Eksteen, Luzuko Vulindlu, Monde Hadebe, Lukhanyo Am.