Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - The Golden Lions have made a truckload of changes to the side that will play the Sharks in Durban on Saturday in their final Currie Cup match before their home semi-final.
Springbok flyhalf Butch James has also been included in the match-22 and is expected to make an appearance off the bench.
Coach John Mitchell seems to have played musical chairs with his selections, as last week's bench are now in the run-on side, while some of the regular starters will play off the bench.
Mitchell said at the team announcement on Wednesday, the reason behind the radical changes was to prepare the team for any likely scenario that could occur during next week's playoff.
"If a player is injured in the first minute, we need another player that is ready to go," said Mitchell.
"With a lot the guys who are starting it is important to get their match fitness up.
"Their performance is extremely important for us, and like any game, we are gonna go out, and we want to win."
Following South Africa's exit from the World Cup, Currie Cup teams like Western Province and the Sharks are likely to be boosted by their returning Springboks.
Mitchell, however, said it did not faze him as they would focus on their own game.
"At the end of the day the best team will always win this competition and not the team with the best lot of individuals," said Mitchell.
"We are not focussed on who they have, what they have and who they don't have - it is more important about what we do and how we go about it."
"We have presented ourselves with an opportunity now, and it is important to be focussed and make sure we are fresh and sharp and that we can bring our style of football at game time."
The side received a timely boost with the return of lock Wikus van Heerden, who recovered from an injury two weeks sooner than expected.
His return sees Franco van der Merwe moving to the bench.
Regular inside centre Alwyn Hollenbach will receive a rest before next week's semi-final.
Doppies la Grange shifts from outside centre to the inside while Dylan des Fountain will partner him.
Flyhalf Burton Francis replaces Elton Jantjies, who moves to the bench.
Other changes see Jaco Kriel replacing Derick Minnie, while Michael Killian makes way for James Kamana on the wing.
In the front row, prop Pat Cilliers will warm the bench alongside hooker Bandise Maku, with Jacobie Adriaanse and Martin Bezuidenhout replacing them respectively.
Teams:
Sharks:
TBA
Golden Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Dylan des Fountain, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 James Kamana, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (captain), 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Michael Rhodes, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Butch James, 22 Michael Killian.
