The Peacock Blues will be looking to return to winning ways following a 24-6 defeat to the Sharks in Durban last week.

The Lions in turn will want to build on their momentum after beating the Pumas 26-10 at Ellis Park last week.

Ndimande has been at the Griquas since last year following the Varsity Cup and this week will slot in at blindside flank in the starting XV.

The Griquas have made several other changes to their team. In the backline, Ashlon Davids, earns a start at fullback, while Sako Makata will play on the left winger with Rosko Specman back on the right. Jay-Cee Nel moves back to outside centre, while Lubabalo Dobela returns to start at flyhalf.

Upfront, Ndimande replaces Stefan Smit on the flank, while Derik Pretorius returns to replace Johan Retief in the second-row.

The Griquas coach, Pieter Bergh, told OFM Sport that he is confident the live-wire 23-year-old flanker will do well against the Lions.

“Thabo has worked incredibility hard and I think that he will be treat on the ground, said Bergh.

“It will help control the gain line for us and slow the ball down of the Lions and maybe win a few turnovers for us.

“He is also a good ball-carrier, he's very physical, puts in big hits and he has also worked very hard for this opportunity.

“I've have a lot confidence in Thabo that he will do well this week.”

Friday afternoon's game between the Griquas and resurgent Lions in Kimberley kicks off at 15:30.

Griquas - 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 Jay-Cee Nel, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Sako Makata, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Carl Els, 7 Hanru Sirgel (captain), 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Cebo Dlamini.

Replacements - 16 Sean Swart, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Justin Forwood, 19 Dylan Sjöblom, 20 Niel Otto, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 George Whitehead, 23 Sango Xamlashe.

Lions - 15 Vaughen Isaacs, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Manuel Rasss, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Stean Pienaar, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Travis Gordan, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Rhynardt Runsburger.

Replacements - 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Raynardt Roets, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Tyler Bocks, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport