Ruan Delport, Haashim Pead return as Lions name team for Currie Cup semifinal

Ruan Delport returns to the starting lineup at lock and will captain the Lions after serving a suspension.

Delport last featured for the Lions against the Bulls XV in Round Three before representing the side against the All Blacks in their narrow 41-35 defeat in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

In another significant boost for the Gauteng outfit, scrumhalf Haashim Pead also comes into the starting XV and will take charge of the Lions' backline alongside flyhalf Matt Coetzee.

The Lions will be looking to overturn their recent result in Kimberley, having suffered a 31-19 defeat to Griquas at the same venue in Round Four almost a month ago.

Griquas finished comfortably at the top of the Currie Cup standings and have established themselves as the team to beat, while the Lions will also have to contend with the disadvantage of playing away from home, but coach Nkosi is confident they can provide a sterner challenge this time around.

Lions: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Latica Nela, 10 Matt Coetzee, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 Ruan Delport (captain), 4 Siba Qoma, 3 Ruan Swart, 2 Armand Combrinck, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Siya Dube, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 JD Hattingh, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Exauce Kevani, 23 Luke Cannon.