Lions' Boks in pivotal switch
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made three changes to his starting line-up for the Currie Cup encounter with Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday.
The most significant change is at flyhalf – where World Cup winner Butch James comes into the side to fill the gap left by the call-up of fellow Springbok Elton Jantjies to the national team that will face Australia on Saturday.
In another backline change forced by Bok call-ups, Dylan des Fountain starts at inside centre in place of Jaco Taute – who is set to make his Test debut in Pretoria on Saturday.
The only other change to the starting XV is at flank, where Jaco Kriel replaces Willie Britz – with the latter dropping down to the replacement bench.
Meanwhile, Martin Bezuidenhout replaces Bok hooker Bandise Maku on the bench, Ruan Dreyer replaces CJ van der Linde (who has also been called up to the national team) on the bench, while Deon van Rensburg makes a welcome return from injury and fill the gap on bench left by the promotion of James.
Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Dylan des Fountain, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Deon van Rensburg, 22 James Kamana.
Date: Saturday, September 29
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Christie du Preez, Linston Manuels
TMO: Deon van Blommestein
