Michael Rhodes (File)

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Johannesburg - The Lions made three changes and one positional shift from last weekend's starting line-up for their Currie Cup match against the Leopards on Friday.

On the right wing, Jannie Boshoff replaces Deon van Rensburg, who drops out of the match 22.

"Jannie has come in for Deon van Rensburg because Deon has... carried a fair bit of the load recently," said coach John Mitchell.

Michael Rhodes comes in at right flank from the bench and, to accommodate this move, Derick Minnie moves from right flank to the left.

"Derick Minnie's been out and Cobus Grobbelaar is being freshened up."

Johan Snyman enters the starting XV, replacing Wikus van Heerden who has a knee injury.

The coach said the injury was not serious and Van Heerden would not be out for the rest of the season as initially feared.

"Wikus had some cartilage removed. It'll be a four-week job," said Mitchell.

In the only addition to the bench, scrumhalf Rudi Paige will provide cover for Michael Bondesio.

"Rudi, our second half-back, has come into the mix. He's actually played two matches now for UJ [University of Johannesburg] as he hadn't played a lot of football, so he comes back into our 22."

Mitchell again mentioned his satisfaction with the depth in the squad.

"It's very important to manage your players, so we're very fortunate to have a player like Derick to come back in who's played number six very well.

"And then Jannie obviously is a very similar rugby player to Deon who is a very strong, physical right winger," said the coach.

Teams

Golden Lions:

15 Jaco Taute, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Johan Snyman, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg

Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warrem Whiteley, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Rudi Paige, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana

Leopards:

TBA