The Sigma Lions will be desperate to break their losing streak in the competition against a confident Windhoek Draught Griquas in Johannesburg.
The match in Johannesburg, originally scheduled to take place at Emirates Airline Park on Friday, has been rescheduled and will now kick off at 15h00 at Wits Rugby Stadium on Thursday.
On Thursday, Windhoek Draught Griquas will be looking to make it two from two in 2022 against the Sigma Lions, as they aim to repeat their victory in Gauteng in 2021, a win that snapped a three-game losing streak against the men in white and red.
Last month, the team from the Northern Cape won by 49-17 in Kimberley and a victory in Johannesburg will ensure they remain in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals for a second year running.
Sigma Lions head coach Mzwakhe Nkosi made eight changes to the starting line-up.
At the back Tiaan Swanepoel, Henco van Wyk and captain Andrew Warner make a return to the starting lineup.
Sibusiso Sangweni replaces Lindo Ncusane on the side of the scrum while Junior White replaces PJ Steenkamp at lock. Carlu Sadi, Jaco Visagie and JP Smith are the new-look front row.
Windhoek Draught Griquas Head Coach, Pieter Bergh named his side to travel to Johannesburg.
“This is a very important game before we have a 3-week break and it really is a must-win game for us. The main aim since the Sharks match was to work on our execution when we enter the opposition 22m area and to come away with points."
"We are expecting a very tough match and also expect the Lions to pick a much stronger team than they have in recent weeks.
Stefan Ungerer is back in the starting team and we will rely on his kicking game and experience as we expect a heavy field at Wits with all the rain that fell in the last few weeks."
"Kudzwai Dube gets his first start of the season, he has done really well coming off the bench and deserves to start this game.”
Teams:
Sigma Lions: 15. Tiaan Swanepoel, 14. Boldwin Hansen, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. James Mollentzes, 11. Zeilinga Strydom, 10. Luke Rossouw, 9. Andrew Warner (c), 8. Jarod Cairns, 7. Sibusiso Sangweni, 6. Sasko Ndlovu, 5. Cal Smid, 4. Junior White, 3. Carlu Sadi, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1.JP Smith. Replacements: 16. Darnell Osowagu, 17. Jannie du Plessis, 18. Chergin Fillies, 19. Henk Gouws, 20. Lindo Ncusane, 21. Jurich Classens, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Ngia Selengbe.
Windhoek Draught Griquas: 1. Kudzwai Dube, 2. Simon Westraadt, 3. Janu Botha, 4. Mzwanele Zito, 5. Derik Pretorius, 6. Niel Otto (c), 7. Hanru Sirgel, 8. Siba Qoma, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 10. George Whitehead, 11. Luther Obi, 12. Zander du Plessis, 13. Sango Xamlashe, 14. Munier Hartzenberg, 15. Rynhardt Jonker. Replacements: 16. Gustav du Randt, 17. Eddie Davids, 18. Andries Schutte, 19. Johan Retief, 20. Luyolo Dapula, 21. Johan Mulder, 22. Chris Hollis, 23. Ashlon Davids.