Coach Ivan van Rooyen has made five changes the Golden Lions starting lineup for Saturday’s must-win game against Griquas in Kimberley.

There’s a solitary change in the backline, where – bizarrely – Duncan Matthews comes in to partner Wandisile Simelane in the midfield. Matthews’ selection at inside centre has Manni Rass dropping out of the team.

Up front, Cyle Brink earns his first start after making his comeback from injury off the bench last week. Brink takes over from Len Massyn at blindside flank, while Marnus Schoeman replaces James Venter at openside.

Springbok lock Marvin Orie slots straight back into the run-on side ahead of Wilhelm van der Sluys, and Jacobie Adriaanse returns at tighthead prop.

Dylan Smith and Johannes Jonker come in to provide prop cover off the bench, while new recruit Jamba Ulengo is also listed as a reserve.

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Golden Lions – 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Duncan Matthews, 11 Stean Pienaar, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje (c), 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Len Massyn, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jan-Louis la Grange 23 Jamba Ulengo.

Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images