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Luke Watson has recovered from the flu which kept him out of last week's match against the Lions and will captain the EP Kings in Saturday's showdown with the Blue Bulls at Loftus.
Both teams are chasing their first win of the season, having lost their opening two matches.
In a bid to add more grunt up front after last week's heavy 60-19 loss to the Lions at Ellis Park, coach Carlos Spencer has brought in Steven Sykes and Darron Nell at lock and Paul Schoeman on the flank.
In the only change to the backline, scrumhalf Kevin Luiters comes in for Tobie Botes, who has been battling with a wrist problem.
Spencer says Sykes and Nell are going to have a big role to play this week as the Kings must match the physicality of the Bulls.
Former Stade Francais hooker Mike van Vuuren is back in Port Elizabeth where he learnt his rugby at Grey High School and will get his first opportunity of the season off the bench.
