Winless Griquas tweak for Lions visit
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Scott Mathie has made a few changes to his team for their opening match in the Currie Cup leg of South Africa’s domestic competition.
The team shows three changes from that which lost 9-28 to the Cheetahs in the last round of the Super Rugby Unlocked leg – in Bloemfontein last week.
James Verity-Amm starts at fullback in place of Masixole Banda, who is one of 11 names on an extended bench.
Daniel Kasende starts on the right wing in place of the injured Ederies Arendse
The only change up front sees Johan Momsen at No.8 in place of Carl Els – who also drops down to the bench.
The Cheetahs earned three losing bonus points in their Unlocked matches, but failed to win a single encounter.
Their big advantage is playing at home, where teams always struggle.
The Lions will also undertake a five-hour bus ride from Johannesburg to Kimberley on Friday.
Griquas: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (captain), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Hendrick Luus, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.
Replacements – from: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Carl Els, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Ewan Coetzee, 26 Masixole Banda.
Date: Saturday, November 28
Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westerhuizen
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Griffin Colby
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron
