Luke Watson has been named at eighthman for the EP Kings' first Currie Cup Premier Division match in 12 years.

Watson, who has been struggling with a niggling foot injury, came through last week's warm-up match against the Free State Cheetahs unscathed and will lead the Kings on their return to the Currie Cup Premier Division. His experience will prove invaluable in the absence Steven Sykes, who misses the match through injury. His place is taken by Steven Cummins, while prop Lizo Gqoboka is another who is struggling with an injury. Should he fail to come through a fitness test, his place in the side will be taken by BG Uys.

Among the backs former Western Province flyhalf Gary van Aswegen has cracked the nod ahead of George Whitehead.

Meanwhile, the bench is a mix of youth and experience, with Springbok prop CJ van der Linde set for his Kings debut, while SA U20 loose forward Aidon Davis is also likely to feature.

EP Kings – 15 Scott van Breda, 14 Ronnie Cooke, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Tobie Botes, 8 Luke Watson (c), 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Thembelani Bholi, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steven Cummins, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Lizo Gqoboka/BG Uys.
Subs: 16 Albe de Swardt, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Darron Nell, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Ntabeni Dukisa.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix