The match in Johannesburg will be the Lions' first match since they were beaten 56-14 by the British & Irish Lions on 3 July.

The front row sees Sti Sithole, Jaco Visagie, and Jannie du Plessis all get their first start in the Currie Cup season, while MJ Pelser will also make his first appearance.

The Lions coach, Ivan van Rooyen, said they are looking forward to getting out on the park.

“We're expecting a nice physical and up-tempo game. The Griquas are a team that likes to attack and they have a good kicking game as well.

“It's going to be a great home game for us after we missed one or two matches. I'm excited for us to be back.

“Team wise, it's nice to give a first senior cap to FP Pelser and Travis Gordan. It's great for our junior guys to get an opportunity and also for the some of the seniors coming back.”

This afternoon’s match at Ellis Park kicks off at 14:30.

Lions - 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Reinhardt Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements - 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 FP Pelser, 20 Travis Gordon, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Duncan Matthews.

Griquas - 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Mox Mxoli. 

Replacements – 16 HJ Luus, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Tinus de Beer, 23 Ederies Arendse, 24 Andrew Kuhn, 25 Jeandré Leonard, 26 Theo Boshoff.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport