**In-form Edinburgh head to South Africa looking to extend their winning run and improve their Guinness PRO14 Finals Series chances away to the Isuzu Southern Kings on Saturday.**

The Kings will welcome the Scots to Madibaz Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm) fresh from last week’s narrow defeat to the Toyota Cheetahs and looking to get their first win of 2019.

What’s at stake? The battle for a top three spot in Conference B looks set to go down to the wire, with Edinburgh’s run of seven successive wins in all competitions helping them get right back in the hunt.

Currently second, but just two points clear of fifth-placed Ulster, every point will count and Edinburgh will be desperate to open a gap to the chasing pack.

The Kings, meanwhile, conceded defeat with the final play against the Cheetahs last week and are still searching for their second win of the campaign.

Team News (Isuzu Southern Kings): There are doubts over loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira, who has been struggling with injury this week. As a result Alulutho Tshakweni is ready and waiting to step into the starting line-up. Elsewhere the Kings are without centre Berton Klaasen, replaced by namesake Harlon, while Andisa Ntsila and Andries van Schalkwyk come into the pack.

Team news (Edinburgh): Richard Cockerill has made nine changes to the team which beat Montpellier to qualify for the quarter-finals in Europe, and welcomes back three players from Scotland training camp. David Cherry, Chris Dean and Luke Crosbie all come straight into the starting line-up for the Scots. They will also be able to call on the likes of Jaco van der Walt, Henry Pyrgos and of course Viliame Mata in Port Elizabeth.

Talking points

Isuzu Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids: “We have had a good week of preparations.

“But it has not been without its hiccups as we unfortunately lost Berton Klaasen with an eye injury. We are also keeping a close eye on Schalk Ferreira with his minor back issue. We will make a late call on his participation in the match.”

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill said: “We’ve had a tough and intense week of training in Port Elizabeth and the boys are looking forward to going up against a combative Southern Kings side.

“The players should take credit for our good run of form, but we’ve got to back it up at the Madibaz Stadium tomorrow evening.

“We certainly won’t take our opponents lightly. We will need to be at the top of our game, both mentally and physically, if we are to secure all points on offer come full-time.”

Key battle: Andisa Ntsila v Viliame Mata

A battle of contrasting No.8s is in store when Andisa Ntsila and Viliame Mata pack down on Saturday. Ntsila, who is just as comfortable playing on the flank, is a tackling machine who will keeping going for the whole 80 minutes. Mata will be similarly influential, but it is generally when Edinburgh have the ball that he makes the biggest impact. Beyond the spectacular offloads, the sheer amount of carrying the Fijian does is worth highlighting. He leads the league with 168, more than 20 more than the next best, despite playing only nine of 13 matches so far.

Key stat: Although Edinburgh have won seven in a row in all competitions, their last away win in the Guinness PRO14 outside Scotland came in March 2018, away to Connacht.

Did you know? The Isuzu Southern Kings’ sole win this season came at home to Scottish opposition. They saw off Glasgow Warriors 38-28 at Madibaz Stadium in September.

Isuzu Southern Kings: Masixole Banda, Yaw Penxe, Harlon Klaasen, Tertius Kruger, Bjorn Basson, Ntabeni Dukisa, Stefan Ungerer; Schalk Ferreira / Alulutho Tshakweni, Michael Willemse, Luvuyo Pupuma, Andries van Schalkwyk, John-Charles Astle ©, CJ Velleman, Tienie Burger, Andisa Ntsila

Replacements: Alandre van Rooyen, Lupumlo Mguca, Alulutho Tshakweni/ Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Stephan Greeff, Henry Brown, Sarel Pretorius, Bader Pretorius, Meli Rokoua

Edinburgh: Dougie Fife; Tom Brown, George Taylor, Chris Dean, James Johnstone; Jaco van der Walt, Henry Pyrgos; Pierre Schoeman, David Cherry, Pietro Ceccarelli; Fraser McKenzie ©, Callum Hunter-Hill; Luke Crosbie, Ally Miller, Viliame Mata

Replacements: Ross Ford, Darryl Marfo, Murray McCallum, Jamie Hodgson, Mungo Mason, Nathan Fowles, Simon Hickey, Juan Pablo Socino

TV: Madibaz Stadium, KO 17.15. Super Sport, Premier Sports 2

Referee: Dan Jones

Assistant Referees: Stuart Berry, Ruhan Meiring

TMO: Sean Veldsman