Golden Lions flank Jaco Kriel has been passed fit and will start the Currie Cup final against Western Province at Newlands.

Kriel was a doubt for Saturday's match after limping off just prior to half-time during the semi-final against the Sharks.

He spent the remainder of the match with ice strapped to his hamstring, but has recovered well to take his place in the run-on side for Saturday's decider.

Kriel has been in scintillating form for the Lions this season and is the top try-scorer in the competition with nine, including a stunning solo effort against the Sharks this past weekend.

The Lions have once again gone for a five-two split on the bench, but have opted to beef up their front row options, where prop Jacques van Rooyen has been brought in at the expense of Kwagga Smith.

Golden Lions – 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Mark Richards, 22 Harold Vorster.

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix