Lions skipper Ernst Joubert is back in the squad for the Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday, following a long injury lay-off.

Joubert will start from the bench for last year's defeated finalists after being injured in the Super 14 match against the Reds on March 22 — only his third match of the season after a previous injury in a pre-season friendly against the Bulls.

Coach Eugene Eloff has made only one change to the side with Gerhard Mostert, who has recovered from injury, joining Anton van Zyl at lock after the leg injury to Dewald Senekal.

Earl Rose will once again don the number 10 shirt, with Louis Strydom and Jaco van Schalkwyk providing cover from the bench.

This fixture marks the first game of the second round of the Currie Cup for the visitors and with just two log points separating the first-placed Bulls (23 points) and the fourth-placed Lions (21 points), there is very little to choose between the teams, despite the Bulls having a game in hand.

Following last week's victory over Western Province, the Lions are riding a wave of confidence and thanks to continuity in team selection and the welcome return of their Super 14 captain, they will go into this match optimistic of a good result.

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Gert Muller, 18 Ernst Joubert, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk.

Date: Friday, 8 August
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 7.10pm (5.10pm GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper, Cobus Wessels
TMO: Johann Meuwesen

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