The team from the Northern Free Stare currently occupy the fourth position in the Central Division standings behind the Free State XV, Tafel Lager Griquas and Sharks.

The Griffons had a good second half against the Free State in Bloemfontein last week to come back from 26-0 down at the break for a 33-19 defeat.

They will be targeting a better opening stanza at home, however, they are well aware of the fact that Ricardo Loubcher’s charges won’t make it an easy task.

The Griffons coach, Oersond Gorgonzola, has made changes to his side, and the most notable is that of Joubert Engelbrecht being moved to the bench.

This leads to the captain, Duan Pretorius, shifting from fullback to his more familiar role at outside centre.

Saturday afternoon’s game at the HT Pelatona Stadium in Welkom kicks off at 15:00.

Down Touch Griffons - 15 Wynand Pienaar, 14 Ezrick Alexander, 13 Duan Pretorius, 12 Arthur Williams, 11 Rodney Damons, 10 Juan Kotze, 9 Sherwin Cupido, 8 Cody Basson, 7 Vincent Maruping, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Neil Claassen, 4 Gavin Annandale, 3 Daniel van der Merwe, 2 Anrich Alberts, 1 JP Mans.

Replacements – 16 Johan Meintjies, 17 Rudi Britz, 18 JP Alberts, 19 Henco Greyling, 20 Jean Pretorius, 21 Malcom Kerr-Till, 22 Joubert Engelbrecht.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport