Kings change five for Canes

Up front Sithembiso Sithole moves up from the bench to replace Schalk Ferreira, who came off the field against the Crusaders in the eighth minute, and who has subsequently returned to Nelson Mandela Bay with a concussion.

Martin Ferreira moves out of the team to make way for Edgar Marutlulle, who played off the bench last week.

Cyril-John Velleman also comes off the bench to take the place of Chris Cloete, who moves to the bench, in a rotational change by Davids.

Stefan Willemse joins the team alongside Velleman at flank, replacing Thembelani Bholi who has also returned to Nelson Mandela Bay after being diagnosed with a hamstring tear following the Crusaders match.

One change in the backs sees Ntando Kebe return to the starting line up with Kevin Luiters, who started against the Crusaders, moving to the bench in another rotational move.

Martin Bezuidenhoudt comes onto the bench as replacement hooker, with Justin Ackerman also on the bench as replacement prop.

Southern Kings: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Cyril-John Velleman, 5 John-Charles Astle, 4 Steven Sykes, (captain) 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhoudt, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Chris Cloete, 21 Kevin Luiters, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 JP Du Plessis.

Date: Friday, 25 March

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 19.35 (08.35 SAST; 06.35 GMT)

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant referees: Nick Briant, Kane McBride

TMO: Aaron Paterson