The Fidelity ADT Lions will unleash their breakdown specialist Renzo du Plessis in round two of the Carling Currie Cup this weekend as they prepare to host DHL Western Province at Ellis Park.
Du Plessis, who was the star of last season’s Currie Cup, was elevated into the extended Springbok squad despite not being a regular for the Lions in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and almost got his test debut this season, with Bok coach Rassie Erasmus saying that had plans not changed, he would have been selected to face Georgie a few weeks back.
Du Plessis is back at the Lions and buoyed by his time with the Boks and will be one of three changes that Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkose made to his match day 23 for the clash.
With Izan Esterhuizen injured in the team’s opening win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Du Plessis was a natural choice for the side.
The other changes see hooker Marno Grobbelaar come onto the bench and should he get on, he will make his Currie Cup debut, while flanker Siba Qoma provides back row cover for the side.
WP lost their opening game by some margin against the Vodacom Blue Bulls and will be wanting to bounce back as quickly as possible.
Fidelity ADT Lions: Gianni Lombard; Angelo Davids, Mannie Rass, Rynhardt Jonker, Rabz Maxwane; Lubabelo Dobela, Nico Steyn; WJ Steenkamp, Jarod Cairns, Renzo du Plessis, Darrien Landsberg, Raynard Roets, RF Schoeman, Jaco Visagie (captain), Morgan Naude.
Replacements: Marno Grobbelaar, SJ Kotze, Heiko Pohlmann, Dylan Sjoblom, Siba Qoma, Layton Horn, Kade Wolhuter, Kelly Mpeku.