James Kamana returns to big time rugby after breaking his leg during the Super Rugby season, against GWK Griquas on Friday night. Kamana will start off the bench. Other changes see Joshua Strauss, Doppies La Grange and Derick Minnie return to the starting line up after injury enforced lay offs.

It would also seem that Joshua Strauss has become coach John Mitchell’s preferred captain, taking over from Cobus Grobbelaar who captained the side in his absence.  It would seem as if  Super Rugby captain and early Currie Cup captain Doppies La Grange has been released from his responsibilty as captain, in  a side that has no fewer than 4 former captains playing, giving the side good depth in leadership.

Griquas have been a thorn in the Lions side over last few seasons, and will want to wreak revenge on the Lions after they humiliated them in Kimberley in the first round, while the Lions will want to retain their lead on top of the log, and prove that they can put the smaller unions away in a convincing manner.

Team:

15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (capt.), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Warren Whiteley 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana.