Coach Deon Davids has made three changes to the Kings’ pack for Friday’s Pro14 clash against the Scarlets in Port Elizabeth.

The Kings will be back in action after a two-week lay-off and Davids has opted for consistency by keeping the changes to a minimum.

The backline remains unchanged, but among the forwards, openside flank Steph de Wit, hooker Alandré van Rooyen and loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira have been named to start.

No 5 lock JC Astle, whose appointment as captain was announced earlier this week, will lead the Kings out for the first time.

Utility back Tertius Kruger and Fijian wing Meli Rokoua have been included on the bench and will make their Pro14 debuts if they come on the field.

Kings – 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Penxe Yaw, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Berton Klaasen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Martin du Toit, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Ruaan Lerm, 6 Stephan de Wit, 5 JC Astle (c), 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Luvuyo Pupuma, 2 Alandré van Rooyen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Tango Balekile, 17 Justin Forwood, 18 Luphumlo Mguca, 19 Stephan Greeff, 20 Martinus Burger, 21 Rudi van Rooyen, 22 Tertius Kruger, 23 Meli Rokoua.

Scarlets – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Paul Asquith, 12 Steff Hughes (c), 11 Ioan Nicholas, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Josh Macleod, 6 Will Boyde, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Phil Price.
Subs: 16 Dafydd Hughes, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Tom Price, 20 Josh Helps, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Morgan Williams, 23 Ed Kennedy.

Photo: Gallo Images