The Port Elizabeth-based side received an invitation from the Georgia Rugby Union to play in the friendly match at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Tuesday, August 27. The match will kick-off at 19h15.

“Georgia was set to take on Russia in their World Cup warm-up match, but the Russian team withdrew. We were the first team that the Georgian Rugby Union subsequently contacted to see if we were available,” ISUZU Southern Kings team manager, Zingi Hela, confirmed.

“We duly accepted the invitation which would work in favour of both teams – Georgia for their World Cup preparations, and for us ahead of the start of our PRO14 2019/20 season.

“We could not have asked for a better opponent at this stage than a national team that is renowned for their strong forwards pack and fierce scrummagers. This will undoubtedly be a timely opportunity for our own team to measure themselves before the start of the new season.”

Georgia will begin their World Cup campaign on September 23 when they face Wales. The Eastern Europe side will also face Australia, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool D at the tournament which will be held in Japan.

The Georgian side is coached by New Zealand-born Milton Haig, who was previously an assistant coach of the New Zealand under-21 and Chiefs Super Rugby sides.

The side remains unbeaten in 2019 having beaten Russia, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Romania in matches they have played so far this year.

Travel details for the Kings will be confirmed closer to the time of the clash against The Lelos, as the side is affectionately known back home.

- Southern Kings