Marco Kotze will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Reds against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.
The lock represented the Golden Lions and Sharks at age-group and Vodacom Cup levels. He then joined the Valke before moving to Australia two years ago, when Jake White brought him to the Brumbies. The 28-year-old featured heavily in Brisbane City's victorious 2014 National Rugby Championship campaign, which saw him called up to the Reds squad.
Another two players will make their Reds debuts on Friday – code-crosser Michael Hunt, who will start at flyhalf in the absence of James O'Connor, who is not yet fully fit, and tighthead prop Sam Talakai.
Scrumhalf Will Genia will earn his 100th Super Rugby cap.
Also unavailable for selection due to injury are Quade Cooper (collar bone), Anthony Fainga'a (knee), Greg Holmes (thumb), Dave McDuling (glute), Eddie Quirk (knee), Beau Robinson (calf), Rob Simmons (shoulder) and Ben Tapuai (hamstring).
Reds – 15 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Karmichael Hunt, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 Marco Kotze, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sef Faagase, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Duncan Paia'aua, 23 Campbell Magnay.
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
