With the countdown to the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division playoffs having started, the Sigma Lions will realise the importance of winning on the road this weekend if they are to keep in touch with the top teams on the log. The Sigma Lions are off to Kimberley to face a confident Tafel Lager Griquas side on Friday @ 14h30
Burger Odendaal will be running out in his 50th Carling Currie Cup match on Friday afternoon, and the Sigma Lions will be keen to make it a memorable occasion for the experienced midfielder when they take on the high-flying Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley.
The last time these two teams clashed was a few weeks ago in round six, when Tafel Lager Griquas caused an upset to win by 41-31 in Johannesburg, as they started their push up the standings.
Playing in Kimberley is never easy, and the Sigma Lions will remember their last outing to the Northern Cape, which they won after the match was ended early due to inclement weather.
Tafel Lager Griquas head coach, Scot Mathie has made four changes to his starting line-up.
The four changes were made in the backline. Tinus de Beer replaces Ashlon Davids at fullback while Ederies Arendse replaces Daniel Kasende. Andre Swarts and Michal Haznar forms a brand new centre pairing.
Sigma Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made 8 changes to his starting line-up that will travel to Kimberley.
In the backline, Burger Odendaal and Duncan Matthews are welcomed back to the fray. Burger will be running out in his 50th Currie Cup match.
Among the forwards we see front rowers, Sti Sithole and Jaco Visagie move up from the bench along with the lock, Reinhard Nothnagel. Ruhan Straueli will make his first Currie Cup start of the season.
On the bench, the Lions welcome back Travis Gordon, while Ross Cronje will also look to get some Currie Cup action.
Prediction: Although it is "strange" to make Griquas the favourites one must question the reasons for the Lions struggles. Griquas by 8.
Tafel Lager Griquas: 15. Tinus de Beer, 14. Ederies Arendse, 13. Michal Haznar, 12. Andre Swarts, 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer, 8. Ruan Steenkamp ©, 7. Sibabalo Qoma, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Stefan Willemse, 4. Adre Smith, 3. Janu Botha, 2. Janco Uys, 1. Mox Mxoli. Replacements: 16. Alandre van Rooyen, 17. Andrew Kuhn, 18. Erich de Jager, 19. Cameron Lindsay, 20. Luyolo Dapula, 21. Hanru Sirgel, 22. Raegan Oranje, 23. Enver Brandt, 24. Tijde Visser, 25. Mzwanele Zito, 26. Chris Hollis
Sigma Lions: 15. Duncan Matthews, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Andre Warner, 8. Francke Horn (capt.), 7. Ruhan Straueli, 6. Sibusiso Sangweni, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. FP Pelser, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Ruben Schoeman, 20. Travis Gordon, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Stean Pienaar