The Peacock Blues are greeting a whole host of players, and they have not come into contention for the important clash.

Mathie told OFM Sport that he never doubted that the game would be called off and they want to put the Pumas defeat behind them.

“I fully expected the game to be given the go-ahead. They had a couple of Covid cases, but with the depth of their squad, I don’t think that would have been an issue.

“As we go into this new contracting period we have a few new players and there is definitely a level of excitement to get on the field and against just taking the opportunity to play some rugby.

“We are looking forward to the trip and getting over the Pumas game, and making sure that we get back on the front foot.”

The Lions in their turn welcome the return of the Springbok flyhalf, Elton Jantjies, who has recovered from a calf injury.

Friday evening's game at Ellis Park kicks off at 19:00.

Lions -  15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements – 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.

Griquas - 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 André Swarts, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead (captain), 9 Zak Burger, 8 Carl Els, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Adré Smith, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.

Replacements - 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Mox Mxoli, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Ewan Coetzee, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Masixole Banda, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 CJ Velleman, 26 Johnathan Francke.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport