In the second half of 2017, Gouws moved to Port Elizabeth to continue his rugby career. After a single match for the in the 2017 Currie Cup First Division against the in Welkom, he appeared for the in their inaugural season in the Pro14 competition. He made his debut in the competition as a replacement against the in Newport. After a further three appearances as a replacement, he made his first start in their match against the in Port Elizabeth, eventually playing in eleven matches for a Southern Kings side that finished bottom of Conference B with just a single victory all season.