Britz leads Sunwolves against former team
The former Lions player left South Africa at the beginning of the season and has made a mammoth impact on the Japanese franchise.
Before the Super Rugby break -due to June International Test series- the Sunwolves suffered a 7-47 defeat against the Cheetahs in Tokyo.
Sunwolves have made wholesale changes to the side for their South Africa trip.
Other than Britz replacing Rahboni Warren Vosayaco at No.8, the side have a new front row which consists out of Yasuo Yamaji, Atsushi Sakate and Matasaka Mikami.
The lock pairing of Kotaro Yatabe and Sam Wykes retain their spots.
In the backline regularly flyhalf Yu Tamura is replaced by Japan flyhalf Jumpei Ogura, while Yasutaka Sasakura takes the spot at the back.
In the midfield, Derek Carpenter is shifted to inside centre with Ryohei Yamanaka on the outside.
After their clash with Lions this weekend, Sunwolves face the Stormers on July 8.
The Sunwolves are currently at the bottom of the combined Super Rugby standings with one win from 12 matches.
After their trip to South Africa, they finish their 2017 Super Rugby campaign against the Blues in Tokyo.
Sunwolves: 15 Yasutaka Sasakura, 14 Takaaki Nakazuru, 13 Ryohei Yamanaka, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Teruya Goto, 10 Jumpei Ogura, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Willem Britz (captain), 7 Shokei Kin, 6 Yoshitaka Tokunagam, 5 Kotaro Yatabe, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Yasuo Yamaji, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Matasaka Mikami.
Replacements: 16 Takeshi Hino, 17 Koki Yamamoto, 18 Takuma Asahara, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Malgene Ilaua, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Rikiya Matshuda, 23 Kotaro Mathushima.
Date: Saturday, July 1
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT; 00.15 Japan time, Sunday, July 2)
Referee: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Archie Sehlako
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
