This comes as the regular captain, Ruan Steenkamp, being ruled out for up to three months with a knee injury.

The Griquas have opted to name Otto as the skipper for the remainder of the season or until Steenkamp returns.

Upfront, Janco Uys, starts at hooker in the place of Alandré van Rooyen, who has gone to the London Irish in England, while Michael Amiras starts on the flank.

In the backline, Stefan Ungerer, returns to start at scrumhalf, while the seasoned campaigner, Jonathan Francke, will run put at outside centre.

Griquas coach, Pieter Bergh, told OFM Sport that Otto has made a big impact at the team.

“Since Niel joined the Griquas at the same time as me in October last year he has made a massive impact as a leader.

“When he joined, he was immediately a part of the leadership group.

“He's a young leader and he will be with the Griquas for at least another year. He is definitely a leader for the future as well and it's a great opportunity for Niel captaining the Griquas this week.”

Otto in his turn said as team they take a lot of confidence from their recent against the Pumas in Kimberley.

“It was probably a big win for us to build that confidence. A lot of the guys at the Griquas hadn't been on the winning side before.

“It was something new and getting that first win against the Pumas in what is kind of a derby for us, and especially the way in which we beat them was big for us.

“The guys took a lot of confidence from the that win and we will definitely take it into the game on Friday night.”

Friday’s game at Tafel Lager Park kicks off at 19:00.

Griquas – 15 Rynhardt Jonker, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Jonathan Francke, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Theo Boshoff, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Sibabalo Qoma, 7 Michael Amiras, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids.

Replacements – 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Kudzwai Dube, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 André Swarts, 23 Sango Xamlashe.

 Morgan Piek OFM Sport