Bothma to skipper Pumas
The Nelspruit-based outfit will face Griquas at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday.
Pumas coach Marthinus Mentz has made a number of changes to the side that will face Griquas.
Flank Renaldo Bothma will take over the captaincy from lock Hugo Kloppers, who drops to the bench to make way for Jannie Stander.
The Pumas has lost their first two rounds of the tournament to the Sharks and Lions.
"At this stage of the season, we feel like we need Renaldo's experience as an international captain for Namibia," Mentz said.
"He is a player who leads by example, is extremely physical and really puts his body on the line.
"We're expecting a very physical challenge from Griquas, so Renaldo's hands-on style of leadership is ideal."
De Jay Terblanche comes in for the injured Khwezi Mona at loosehead prop, while Frankie Herne replaces Francois du Toit at hooker.
After several months out of action with a dislocated shoulder, former Griquas hooker Simon Westraadt will start on the bench.
Emile Temperman starts at scrumhalf in place of Reynier van Rooyen, who has an injured knee. Marlou van Niekerk is replaced by the exciting Leighton van Wyk at inside centre, while wing Marcello Sampson makes way for the more physical and experienced Bernado Botha.
Justin van Staden is out for the season with a fractured toe, giving Devon Williams an opportunity at fullback.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Bernado Botha, 13 Hennie Skorbinski, 12 Leighton van Wyk, 11 Jean-Paul Lewis, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Emile Temperman, 8 Renaldo Bothma (captain), 7 Nardus van der Walt, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Jannie Stander, 4 Wiehan Hay, 3 Louis Albertse, 2 Frank Herne, 1 De-Jay Terblanche.
Replacements: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Jacques Kotze, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Carel Greeff, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 Marlou van Niekerk, 22 Hoffmann Maritz.
Date: Friday, August 26
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Alex Jonker
TMO: Willie Vos
