Tom Croft and Harry Ellis could find themselves going head-to-head with Leicester Tigers team mate Marco Wentzel when the British & Irish Lions face the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, 16 June.
Former Springbok lock Wentzel, who helped the Tigers win the Guinness Premiership title and reach the Heineken Cup final last season, has been included in a 27 strong squad named by coach Alan Solomons for the final fixture before the first Test.
There are plenty of other familiar faces to the Lions players in the squad assembled by Solomons and assistant coach Robbie Kempson.
Jaco van der Westhuyzen used to play with Ellis at half-back at the Tigers, while wing Frikkie Welsh was at Bath. Another wing, Wylie Human, spent time at Bath and Northampton Saints and back row man Ruan Vermeulen was at Calvisano..
De wet Barry has been at centre for the Harlequins all season, while Cheetahs full back Bevin Fortuin is one of five Springboks in the squad.
Three other players, Derick Kuun, Jaco Engels and Franocis Hougaard, were part of the Bulls side that won the Super 14 this season and there are also three South African sevens internationals in the squad.
“We’ve tried to select a squad that will hopefully be competitive against the Lions. We are constantly looking at the future of rugby in the Eastern Cape and we’ve tried to select a good blend of experience and youth,” said Kings selector Francois Davids.
Southern Kings: De Wet Barry, Rayno Benjamin, Kevin Buys, Michael Coetzee, Jaco Engels, Bevin Fortuin, Josh Fowles, Henry Grimes, Francois Hougaard, Wylie Human, Sivuyile Kobakana, Derick Kuun, Tiger Mangweni, Mpho Mbiyozo, Darron Nel, Lungile Payi, Ross Skeate, Mzwandile Stick, Heinrich Stride, Solly Tyibilika, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Michael Vermaak, Ruan Vermeulen, Elgar watts, Frikkie Welsh, Marco Wentzel, Simon Westraadt.
