Injuries force Kings' changes
Veteran lock Steven Sykes will lead the team.
Davids has replaced hooker Edgar Marutlulle, who is out with an injury to his ear, with Martin Bezuidenhout.
A second change from the front row which featured in the 22-16 win over the SWD Eagles last week will see Jacobie Adriaanse, who is out because of concussion, replaced by Tom Botha.
Sykes is partnered with JC Astle at lock, who steps in for Schalk Oelofse – who is out with a tight calf muscle.
The loose trio once again consists of Chris Cloete, Thembelani Bholi and Jacques Engelbrecht.
Ntando Kebe and Elgar Watts are again at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively.
Malcolm Jaer moves onto left wing, in place of Michael Makase, with Shane Gates moving up from the bench to inside centre and Stefan Watermeyer moving to outside centre.
Luzuko Vulundlu returns to right wing, while Jurgen Visser remains at fullback.
Davids said he was looking forward to the Kings' first game against another Super Rugby side this season.
"This is our first Super Rugby team that we are playing against, and we want to see how the team performs against a super rugby side," he said.
Davids said the game against the SWD Eagles on Friday last week had been beneficial in testing a few combinations and seeing some of the players that were coming back from injury on the field.
"It is always nice to win, but for us it was good to get the match exercise under our belt and also see guys who haven't played in a while come through," he said.
Davids said the team would be focusing on their set pieces, and would be looking at retaining possession from set pieces through the phases.
He said the team would also be looking at how to capitalise on opportunities and convert them into points.
Southern Kings: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Luzuko Vulundlu, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Ntando Kebe, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 JC Astle, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Tom Botha, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements – from: Sithembiso Sithole, Martin Ferreira, Vukile Sofisa, Cornell Hess, CJ Velleman, Stephan Willemse, Sipato Pokomela, Leighton Eksteen, Theuns Kotze, JP du Plessis, Siyanda Grey.
Date: Friday, February 17
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
