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Lions bring back star loose forward for WP face-off

By @rugby365com
Friday 1 Aug 2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has made three changes ahead of his side for their Currie Cup Round Two face-off with Western Province.

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The Johannesburg-based side, fresh from their 46-5 demolition job against defending champion Sharks in Round One, will be looking to continue their winning ways against Labeeb Levy’s men at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Last season’s best player in the Currie Cup, Renzo du Plessis, starts in the No.6 jersey in place of the injured Izan Esterhuizen.

Other changes see talented hooker Marno Grobbelaar replace Morné Brandon on the bench, with Siba Qoma filling the back row spot on the bench.

Grobbelaar will be in line for his competition debut if called upon.

Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s clash, Du Plessis, who’s been part of Rassie Erasmus’s recent Springbok camps, says he is relishing a starting opportunity against a side he scored a hat-trick against the last time they met.

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“Super excited to be starting this weekend,” Du Plessis said.

“I’ve been working quite hard having not had much time off due to Springbok pre-season training commitments; so, while all the other guys were off, I was still training.

“My preparations have been going quite well for the Currie Cup so I’m excited and ready to go,” he concluded.

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In other news, last week’s debutant and try-scorer Angelo Davids fronts up to his former team at Ellis Park, with Siba Qoma possibly making his first appearance in this year’s edition of the competition as an impact player.

Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Marno Grobbelaar, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Heiko Pohlmann, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Kelly Mpeku.

Date: Saturday, August 2
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Paul Mente
TMO: Archie Sehlako

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