Back in favour: Cobus Grobbelaar
Golden Lions caretaker coach Johan Ackermann has made eight changes to his starting XV for Saturday's clash with the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.
Former captain Josh Strauss, who played at lock in last week's loss to Griquas, has been sidelined with concussion and his place is taken by Hendrik Roodt, who ironically returns to action after recovering from a similar injury.
In other changes in the pack, Callie Visagie starts in place of Bandise Maku at hooker while fit-again Jacobie Adriaanse replaces CJ van der Linde at tighthead prop. Cobus Grobbelaar returns at openside flank in place of Jaco Kriel.
Amongst the backs, Michael Bondesio is back at scrum-half at Ross Cronjé's expense while there are three changes to the three-quarter line.
Ruan Combrinck replaces Anthony Volmink at left wing, Alwyn Hollenbach returns in place of Butch James at inside centre and former Bulls wing Deon Helberg makes his first start against his former team-mates on the right wing where he comes in for JR Esterhuizen.
On the bench, exciting utility back Jaco Taute is set to return to action after recovering from a shoulder injury which he sustained during a Super Rugby match against the Western Force in May.
Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Willie Britz, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (c).
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Michael Rhodes, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Ross Cronjé, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco Taute.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Johann Meuwesen






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