Waratahs 'recruit' back in Pumas fold.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Young lock Le Roux Roets will look to revive his stalled career when he plays for the Pumas against the Lions on Saturday.

The 24-year-old joined the Waratahs this year, after an impressive 2018 Currie Cup campaign.

However, Roets failed to crack a starting spot with the Sydney franchise and returned to South Africa.

The Waratahs said Roets, who had an option to extend his one-year deal for another two seasons, had his contract mutually terminated on the basis of his ‘performance’ – even though he did not play a single game.

Roets’ inclusion is one of six changes to the starting XV that featured in the recent Rugby Challenge Final against Griquas.

Etienne Taljaard starts on the left wing in place of Ruwellyn Isbell.

Jacobus Marais starts at flyhalf in place of Christopher Smith in the only other backline change.

Roets starts as No.4 lock, with Stefan Willemse moving to No.5 and Cameron Lindsay dropping out.

Hermanus du Preez starts as the No.7 flank in place of Phumzile Maqondwana and Marko Janse van Rensburg is at hooker in place of Cornelius Els.

Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Morné Joubert, 13 Neil Maritz, 12 Ryan Nell (captain), 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Jacobus Marais, 9 Reynier van Rooyen, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Hermanus du Preez, 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 Stefan Willemse, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marne Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Cornelius Els, 17 Wikus Groenewald, 18 Hilton Lobberts, 19 Phumzile Maqondwana, 20 Ashlon Davids, 21 Christopher Smith, 22 Henko Marais, 23 Morgan Naude.

Date: Saturday, July 13
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Eduan Nel
TMO: Lesego Legoete