Griquas change three for winless Lions

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Pieter Bergh has made three changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Six encounter with the Lions in Kimberley on Wednesday.

Talented young scrumhalf Johan Mulder is one of four players from the successful 2021 Pretoria University team of last year, who won the Varsity Cup.

Mulder, who made his Currie Cup debut for the Bulls last year, moved to Griquas this year.

Sango Xamlashe, who starts at centre, is another member of the Tuks Varsity Cup team that currently plays in Kimberley.

With seasoned No.9 Stefan Ungerer moving to the Stormers later this year, Mulder and Reagan Oranje are the future at No.9 for Griquas.

Xamlashe comes into the midfield in place of Christopher Hollis.

The final change is at hooker, where Simon Westraadt replaces Janco Uys - who, like Ungerer, drops down to the bench.

Players still not available as a result of injury include Andrew Beerwinkel, Jay-Cee Nel, Carl Els, George Whitehead and Ruan Steenkamp.

Griquas: 15 Rynhardt Jonker, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Theo Boshoff, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Siba Qoma, 7 Janru Sirgel, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Eddie Davids.

Replacements: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Kudzwai Dude, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Luyolo Dapula, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Prince Nkabinde.

Date: Wednesday, March 16

Venue: Griqua Park, Kimberley

Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)

Referee: Griffin Colby

Assistant referees: Ashleigh Murray-Pretorius, Local

TMO: Ben Crouse