Veteran Bok to skipper Lions as coach wields heavy axe
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has wielded a heavy axe, making 10 changes to his team for their trip to Kimberley and a tricky encounter with Griquas.
The new-look team – from that which lost 14-66 to the table-topping Cheetahs in a Round Five match in Bloemfontein – shows five backline changes and another five alterations to the pack.
The most significant change is at tighthead prop, where World Cup-winning 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.”
Axing his captain is just the start of an overhaul the Lions hope can end the last-placed team’s winless streak in South Africa’s premier domestic competition.
Hard-working Emanuel Tshituka moves from flank to No.8 in place of Jarod Cairns, who moves to the flank – with Ruan Venter coming in at No.7.
Apart from Du Plessis at tighthead, there is also a call-up for Morne Brandon at hooker in place of Pieter Botha.
In the backline EW Viljoen comes in at fullback for Tiaan Swanepoel, with Manuel Rass at outside centre for James Mollentze, Matt More at No.12 for Tyler Bocks, James Tedder at flyhalf in place of Fred Zeilinga and Ginter Smuts at scrumhalf in place of Jurich Claasens.
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.
Replacements: 16 Jacque-Louis du Toit, 17 Okuhle Siyeni, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 MJ Pelser, 20 Mark Snyman, 21 Jurich Claasens, 22 Luke Rossouw, 23 James Mollentze.
Date: Wednesday, March 16
Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Ashleigh Murray-Pretorius, Local
TMO: Ben Crouse
