Lions make one change for Sharks in Currie Cup

Josh Strauss is fit and will lead the Golden Lions in their top-of-the-log Currie Cup match against the Sharks at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, kick-off 5.05pm.

The Lions are a single log point ahead of the Sharks.

Strauss left the field halfway through the close 28-26 Newlands loss to Western Province last weekend with a rib injury. Initial fears that he will have to miss Saturday’s important encounter were fortunately for the Lions unfounded.

There is just one change to the side that lost to WP. Lock Wikus van Heerden, who was initially selected for the match but withdrew on the Friday before the Newlands clash following an injury sustained during training, returns in place of Joe Snyman who was called in to start at lock. Snyman moves to the bench.

Further good news for the Lions is that Doppies la Grange, who was in fine form before a hamstring injury, is fit and will start on the bench. Coach John Mitchell has made it clear from the outset that La Grange will be given sufficient opportunity to recover from the strain and will not be risked unnecessarily.

Interestingly Mitchell has selected a five-two bench with the versatility of his backs allowing him the luxury to tackle the Natalians full-on with five replacement forwards. La Grange and Burton Francis are the two backs on the bench.

The Lions Currie Cup 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 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Joe Snyman, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Doppies la Grange, 22 Burton Francis.