Velleman back for Kings
Most notable among the changes is the inclusion of Cyril-John Velleman at flank and Malcolm Jaer at fullback, both of whom have returned from injury. Jaer replaces Jurgen Visser who is still recovering from a concussion sustained during the game against the Jaguares.
Stefan Willemse then shifts from left to right flank, to cover for Thembelani Bholi, who is out for the rest of the Super Rugby season after a knee operation during the June break.
Davids also brought Tom Botha up from the bench to start at Tighthead Propin place of Jacobie Adriaanse, who is out with a calf strain.
Davids once again rotated flyhalves, with Elgar Watts getting a start while Louis Fouche moves to the bench.
Other changes to the bench include Sithembiso Sithole and Luzuko Vulindlu.
Davids said he was glad to have both Velleman and Jaer back, as both players were itching to get back onto the field of play.
"This is our last home game of the season and we really want to go out there and give our all," he said.
Davids said the last block had always been identified as a tough leg of the competition, but the team was looking forward to playing the last three matches.
"This is a special group of players, who play for each other and for the jersey week in and week out," he said.
Southern Kings: 15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Cyril-John Velleman, 5 JC Astle, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Tom Botha, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Justin Ackerman, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Luzuko Vulindlu.
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT; 05.10 Sunday, July 3 NZ Time)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
