Purring Lions resist urge to tinker with starting line-up to face Griquas

The Lions opted for continuity when they named an unchanged  starting XV to face the log-leading Griquas in tomorrow’s Currie Cup game at home at Ellis Park (5pm kick-off).

The Lions are third on the log on 21 points, four points behind the high-flying visitors from Kimberley, with five teams in contention for four play-off spots before the weekend’s final round of  league games kicked off.

Both teams are coming off impressive wins in Round Six, with the Lions seeing off neighbours the Bulls 44-5 and the Griquas stunning the Cheetahs 40-10 in a match that turned the race for the semi-finals on its head.

Veteran flyhalf Chris Smith proved his pedigree with a commanding performance on debut and will get more game time as the Lions build towards the United Rugby Championship.

Junior Springbok scrumhalf star Haashim Pead, who made his senior Lions debut last weekend, has to once again contend with a place on the bench after a try-scoring cameo in the derby. Nico Steyn again starts at No 9.

The home side’s bench boasts plenty of quality in depth, with a welcome return to the match 23 for exciting flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela, who takes the place of Sam Francis. Centre Rynhardt Jonker also replaces Eduan Keyter among the substitutes while Tian Wessels makes way for barnstorming flanker Renzo du Plessis. 

The Lions have the opportunity to secure a home semi-final with a bonus-point victory against a Griquas side with similar ambitions, who have lost just once so far in the competition. They have been in devastating try-scoring form, crossing the line 34 times in scoring 231 points and will be a tough proposition for the home side.