Britz back where he belongs
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made a number of interesting changes to his team to face the Griquas in their Currie Cup Round Five match Kimberley on Saturday.
Ackermann made seven changes to his starting team from the side that played to a 31-all draw with Western Province last week.
Top the list is the decision to return Willie Britz to No.8, after he played at lock against WP.
In all the pack shows five changes – Britz's move and the selection of Jaco Kriel (ahead of Warwick Tecklenburg) restoring the highly successful loose forward combination that also includes captain Derick Minnie.
Lambert Groenewald, who started on the flank last week, drops out of the matchday 22 altogether.
The Lions' Under-21 star Ruan Venter comes in at lock in the spot vacated by Britz positional shift.
Jacques van Rooyen will start ahead of veteran Springbok and World Cup winner CJ van der Linde at loosehead prop, with the latter dropping down to the replacement bench.
Robbie Coetzee is also promoted to the starting line-up, with Willie Wepener joining Van der Linde on the bench.
In the backline Tian Meyer will start at scrumhalf, with Ross Cronje recovering from injury and providing cover off the bench ahead of his twin brother, Guy, who started in the No.9 jersey last week.
Andries Coetzee starts on the right wing and Deon Helberg drops to the bench.
Golden Lions: 15 Marnitz Boshoff, 14 Andries Coetzee, 13 Robert de Bruyn, 12 Dylan des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Derick Minnie (captain), 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 JJ Breet, 19 Warwick Tecklenburg, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Deon Helberg, 22 Ruhan Nel.
Date: Saturday, September 7
Venue: GWK Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker, Nico Schmahl
TMO: Johan Greeff
