In what will be his first outing for his new team Dobela makes a return to the 15-man code after the last few years in Stellenbosch in the Blitzbok setup.

The former Shimlas and Free State pivot will be making his first appearance for the Currie Cup runners-up and gets a chance in the number ten jumper ahead of Eddie Fouché and George Whitehead. Zander du Plessis who mainly plays at inside centre for the Peacock Blues is also a well-establised backline marshal.

Dobela told OFM Sport that he wants to put his hand up with a solid outing on Friday, while enjoying the opportunity and having fin on the park.

“We try to take it day-by-day, so every game is going to be important,” said the exciting player.

“For me it is an opportunity that I look forward to, but I also feel that every day in training it's an opportunity to try and solidify that position, Or, if the team needs me in another position, I'm not a closed minded person, if I make the team better in another position and someone can fill that role, then so be it.

“The people that we have in this team are very versatile and try trustworthy people in roles and they take it very seriously. For sure they are very good in their positions and their jobs.

“Like I said, I take every opportunity seriously and I'm looking forward to this game. I'm just really happy to be back in the 15-man game and let's not cut out the fun part of it. We've got to remember that rugby is a fun sport as well, as it is competitive.”

The kick-off time for Friday's game in Kimberley has been changed to 14:00.

Griquas - 15 Jay-cee Nel, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Stephan Smit, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Johan Retief, 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Kudzwai Dube.

Replacements - 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Janu Botha, 19 Junior Banda, 20 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 21 Thabo Ndimande, 22 Michael Amiras, 23 Carl Els, 24 Bobby Alexander, 25 George Whitehead, 26 Eddie Fouche, 27 Tertius Kruger, 28 Sako Makata.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport