Sad loss for Lions

NEWS: Jaco Kriel has been withdrawn from the Lions side to take on Griquas at Ellis Park on Friday.

Kriel's father, Herman, passed away on Thursday.

The Lions, in a brief statement, said they support Kriel in this "difficult time".

He will be replaced by Marnus Schoeman.

Kriel senior played flank for Northern Natal in the mid-1980s.

Lions - revised: 15 Gianni Lombard; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.

Date: Friday, October 30

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Stuart Berry

TMO: Jaco Peyper