Former Free State player Wayne Stevens will lead the EP Kings in the first leg of their promotion/relegation play-off with his former province in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The midfielder takes over from injured lock Darron Nell, who took over the leadership role following the injury that ruled out Luke Watson for the remainder of the season.
David Bullbring will take over at lock from Nell in one of four changes to the starting line-up that secured the tense 26-25 victory over the Pumas in last weekend’s First Division final.
Loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira took a knock to the head against the Pumas and has been replaced in the front row by the experienced Jaco Engels.
Tiger Mangweni makes way for Shane Gates in the midfield and Wesley Dunlop replaces George Whitehead at flyhalf.
The EP Kings team is: 15 SP Marais, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Wayne Stevens (captain), 12 Shane Gates, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Wesley Dunlop, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Cornell Du Preez, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Devin Oosthuizen, 5 David Bullbring, 4 Reynier Bernardo, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Jaco Engels. Replacements: 16 Frank Herne, 17 Andrè Schlechter, 18 Wayne van Heerden, 19 Mpho Mbiyozo, 20 Scott Mathie, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Michael Killian.