Veteran Bok leads Lions against Griquas

Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has made several changes to his team for Wednesday afternoon's Currie Cup clash against Griquas in Kimberley.

The Lions lost 66-14 in their previous encounter against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, which prompted the coach to make five changes in the backline and in the pack.

The most notable change is at tighthead prop, where Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis takes over from Asenathi Ntlabakanye.

Du Plessis also takes over the captaincy from Ntlabakanye.

"We are blessed to be able to call up a player of Jannie's experience to lead the team," Nkosi said.

"He is eager to go, having not had a lot of game time recently. He is a natural leader."

Elsewhere, Emanuel Tshituka moves from flank to No 8 in place of Jarod Cairns, who moves to the flank and Ruan Venter comes in at No 7.

There is also a call-up for Morne Brandon at hooker in place of Pieter Botha.

In the backline, EW Viljoen starts at fullback in place of Tiaan Swanepoel, while Manuel Rass replaces James Mollentze at outside centre, and Matt More steps in for Tyler Bocks at No 12.

James Tedder starts at flyhalf in place of Fred Zeilinga and Ginter Smuts at scrumhalf for Jurich Claasens.

The Lions are bottom of the seven-team standings with four straight defeats, while Griquas are fourth with two wins from five matches.

Wednesday’s clash kicks off at 15:30.

Griquas

TBA

Lions

15 EW Viljoen, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Matt More, 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 James Tedder, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Emanuel Tshituka, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Simon Dionisio, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Jannie du Plessis (captain), 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith

Substitutes: 16 Jacque-Louis du Toit, 17 Okuhle Siyeni, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 MJ Pelser, 20 Mark Snyman, 21 Jurich