Lions change it up for Pumas visit

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team ahead of their second Currie Cup encounter.

They host the Pumas at Ellis Park on Wednesday.

In the backline, former Junior Springboks Tyler Bocks and Manuel Rass link up in the midfield.

Scrumhalf Ginter Smuts starts in the No.9 jersey and faces his former teammates.

Other changes see lock Lunga Ncube slot in for the injured Simon Dionisio.

Sibusiso Sangweni and Morne Brandon (both who did duty for the Lions on their United Rugby Championship away tour) complete the forward pack.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Zeilinga Strydom, 10 Vaughen Isaacs, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Lunga Ncube, 4 Peter-John Steenkamp, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Banele Mthenjane.

Replacements: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 Sibusiso Shongwe, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 James Tedder, 23 James Mollentze.

Date: Wednesday, January 19

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Local

TMO: AJ Jacobs