Springbok veteran Willem Alberts returns to the Emirates Lions starting line-up for the first time in more than a month as the Johannesburg team made several changes to their starting line-up for their match against the Phakisa Pumas on Saturday.
Alberts, who was first withdrawn because he had been in close contact with someone who had Covid, has not been seen for the past few weeks and was one of a number of players who returned to training this week.
He joins Reinhard Nothnagel in a new-look second row while Ruan Dreyer gets the nod at looshead to give Sti Sithole a well-earned break.
Ross Cronje returns at halfback with Andre Warner on the bench, while Tiaan Swanepoel will replace the injured Gianni Lombard, who was ruled out for nine months earlier this week with a knee injury.
On the bench Hacjivah Dayimani returns as well to give the reserves some more impetus in the second half.
"Some changes were niggles, and some were rotation," coach Ivan van Rooyen said. "Sti has been good for us, but it is time for Ruan Dreyer to have a go. We are excited about that. We are excited about the 23."
Van Rooyen said while EW Viljoen had returned to training this week, it was decided not to rush him back into action.
"EW has joined training this week. There are a whole lot of guys who joined training this week. We just felt Tiaan (Swanepoel) has been training well and Divan (Rossouw) has been training well. So instead of rushing EW back we will back the system."
While the Lions are out of the running for the Super Rugby Unlocked title, they are looking for key points that will be carried over into the Currie Cup season.
"The bigger picture is the double round competition for us. So we're heading into this game with a clear expectation of what we want to get out of this game from our side. The players are very similar, and we really feel that even though the results didn't go our way, we are getting better.
"The players are getting better. The players are in a good place mentally and we are excited to get another opportunity. The Pumas have showed against the Stormers especially that they are in good form. They played us here in a warm-up game and have been here this season. We know what to expect for them, and they are going to come guns blazing.
"We are pretty determined to put on a good show this weekend."
Emirates Lions: Tiaan Swanepoel; Stean Pienaar, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal, Courtnall Skosan; Elton Jantjies (capt), Ross Cronjé; Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka, MJ Pelser, Reinhard Nothnagel, Willem Alberts, Carlu Sadie, Jaco Visagie, Ruan Dreyer.
Reserves: Jan-Henning Campher, Sti Sithole, Wiehahn Herbst, Marvin Orie, Hacjivah Dayimani, André Warner, Dan Kriel, Divan Rossouw