Mitchell names Taute at fullback for Lions

Lions coach John Mitchell has named Jaco Taute at fullback and wing Lionel Mapoe as outside centre for the Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park on Friday.

Last week’s fullback Michael Killian, who scored two tries against the Blue Bulls, moves to wing in place of Mapoe who takes the place of outside centre Waylon Murray.

Murray injured his knee last week. Mapoe will partner Alwyn Hollenbach.

Doppies la Grange has recovered well from a hamstring injury, but Mitchell said last week that he will not be rushed into action.

Mitchell has retained the pack that more than held and also frustrated the Blue Bulls forwards with their aggression last weekend and were better off in all facets of the forward play.

On the bench flank/lock Michael Rhodes is replaced by Johan Snyman, while Taute’s place as replacement is taken by Jannie Boshoff.

The Golden Lions team is:

15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 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 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, Patric Cilliers, Johan Snyman, Warren Whiteley, Rudy Paige, Burton Francis, Jannie Boshoff.