Kriel headlines Lions team to face Griquas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their side for the Currie Cup opener against the Griquas.
The Lions travel to Kimberley, where the Currie Cup originated 128 years ago.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named Springbok Jaco Kriel in the starting XV.
The flank was named in the starting XV for Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Griquas last month.
However, Kriel was withdrawn just hours before kick-off after the sad passing of his father Herman.
Kriel will link up with Len Massyn and Vincent Tshituka as the loose trio.
Veteran Willem Alberts will form a formidable lock partnership with Marvin Orie.
The backline remain the same with former Stormers back EW Viljoen replacing the injured Gianni Lombard.
Roelof Smith can get his first run this season if he gets the nod from the bench.
Elton Jantjies retains the captaincy for the Currie Cup.
Lions: 15 EW Viljoen; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel, 24 Jannie du Plessis, 25 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 26 Manuel Rass
Date: Saturday, November 28
Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westerhuizen
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Griffin Colby
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron