Visagie leads new-look Lions against Griffons
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team to face the Griffons in Round three of the 2023 Currie Cup at Ellis Park on Friday.
The Lions, who have yet to record a win, will be captained by hooker Jaco Visagie.
The former Bulls hooker celebrated his 50th Currie Cup game last week during the defeat to the Pumas
Visagie will be joined in the frontrow by props Ruan Smith and Sithembiso Sithole.
Sithole takes over the No.1 jersey from Rhynardt Runsburger.
Raynard Roetz gets a spot in the starting lineup, and he joins Darrien-Lane Landsberg as the new second-row combination.
In the backrow, last week’s flank Jarod Cairns moves to the No.8. He is joined by Ruhan Straeuli and Sibusiso Sangweni as the new loose trio.
There are also a handful of changes in the backline.
Nico Steyn will don the No.9 jersey, he partners with flyhalf Vaughn Isaacs at halfback.
Stean Pienaar shifts to outside centre alongside Tyler Bocks.
Tiaan Swanepoel moves from the bench to the starting XV and will be this Friday’s fullback.
Swanepoel completes the back three alongside Boldwin Isaacs at right wing and Ilugna Mukendi at left.
Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Boldwin Isaacs, 13 Steyn Pienaar, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Ilugna Mukendi, 10 Vaughan Isaacs, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Ruhan Straeuli, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Raynard Roetz, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Michael Van Vuuren, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Kabous Bezuidenhout, 19 PJ Steenkamp, 20 Pieter Janse Van Vuren, 21 Renzo Du Plessis, 22 Kelly Mpeku, 23 Jurich Claasens
Date: Friday, March 24
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
