Lions make 13 changes for Cheetahs Currie Cup clash

Johannesburg - The Sigma Lions have made no less than 13 changes to the matchday 23 that will face the Free State Cheetahs this weekend in a crunch Currie Cup encounter at Bloemfontein Stadium.

They are not the only ones, however, as their hosts – currently leading the Currie Cup - have also rung the changes – nine of them – as they prepare to face a Lions team that is rooted to the bottom of the tournament table with zero victories after three rounds of competition.

First the Lions, who have a new front-row combination; a second row pairing; a loose-trio; half-back pairing, centre and back-three combination than the one that lost 43-31 to the Sharks in mid-February.

The most noteworthy selection by head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi, however, is the reintroduction of full-back Tiaan Swanepoel and Emmanuel Tshituka from the senior squad. Sibusiso Sangweni, who played off the bench for the Emirates Lions against Leinster in a United Rugby Championship clash last weekend, will also don the No 6 jersey this weekend. Fred Zeilinga, meanwhile, starts at flyhalf in place of incumbent Vaughen Isaacs.

There is little doubt that the Lions will be desperate to claim a victory after a disastrous start to 2022, which has seen them lose nine matches in all competitions.

Said Nkosi in a statement released by the union: “It doesn't get easier at all visiting the competition favourites, but that's the nature of the competition. We're expecting a motivated Cheetahs team who will look to play an expansive game on their home pitch.

“Looking back at our last outing against the Sharks,” the Lions coach continued, “we felt costly errors let us down and we know a team like the Cheetahs will pounce if given the opportunity. If we can limit those little