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Cloete and Bholi boost for Kings

The Kings will begin the match with a new loose forward combination – as openside flank Chris Cloete and blindside flank Thembelani Bholi get their first starts of the season.Cloete and Bholi boost for Kings

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However, injuries have also played a big role in the selection.

Irne Herbst has recovered from the concussion that ruled him out of last week's win over the Sunwolves and returns at lock.

Having lost both their scrumhalves to injury in Singapore last week – Louis Schreuder with a concussion and Rudi van Rooyen an ankle injury – Rick Schroeder will be making his Super Rugby debut on Saturday.

Centre Luzuko Vulindlu, who came off the bench in the Southern Kings' first two matches of the season, will get a starting berth this weekend in a rotational change – which sees Berton Klaasen moving to the bench.

Vulindlu will start in the No.12 jersey and the experienced Waylon Murray, who played at inside centre in the past two matches, moving to outside centre.

"The guys understand that they have to grab their opportunities with both hands," Kings coach Deon Davids said.

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"Ricky [Schroeder] has been knocking on the door, and I'm glad he's getting this opportunity now.

"He will have to make it worthwhile.

"I've rotated Luzuko Vulindlu and Berton Klaasen for our centre combination. I feel that Waylon Murray, with this experience, at No.13 will be good for us."

Southern Kings: 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Rick Schroeder, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Schalk Ferreira (captain).

Replacements: 16 Kurt Haupt, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Chris Heiberg, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Johan Steyn, 22 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 23 Berton Klaasen.

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Date: Saturday, March 11

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT)

Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)

Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Cloete and Bholi boost for Kings

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