The Fidelity ADT Lions have named a much-changed team to face the Griffons in Round three of the 2023 Currie Cup at Emirates Airline Park on Friday at 15:00 (SA Time).
Hooker Jaco Visagie, who celebrated his 50th Currie Cup game last week during the defeat to the Pumas will captain the side. Visagie will be joined in the frontrow by props Ruan Smith and Sti Sithole who replaces Rhynardt Runsburger. Raynard Roetz joins Darrien-Lane Landsberg as the new second-row combination.
In the backrow, last week’s flank Jarod Cairns moves to the No.8. He is joined by Ruhan Straeuli and Sibusiso Sangweni as the new loose trio.
Nico Steyn will partner with flyhalf Vaughn Isaacs as the halfback pairing, while Stean Pienaar shifts to outside centre alongside Tyler Bocks. Tiaan Swanepoel moves from the bench to the starting XV and will be this Friday’s fullback. Swanepoel completes the back three alongside Boldwin Isaacs at right wing and Ilugna Mukendi at left.
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15. Tiaan Swanepoel, 14. Boldwin Isaacs, 13. Steyn Pienaar, 12. Tyler Bocks, 11. Ilugna Mukendi, 10. Vaughan Isaacs, 9. Nico Steyn, 8. Jarod Cairns, 7. Ruhan Straeuli, 6. Sibusiso Sangweni, 5. Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4. Raynard Roetz, 3. Ruan Smith, 2. Jaco Visagie (c), 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. Michael Van Vuuren, 17. Morgan Naude, 18. Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19. PJ Steenkamp, 20. Pieter Janse Van Vuren, 21. Renzo Du Plessis, 22. Kelly Mpeku, 23. Jurich Claasens.