The Lions received a timely boost with the news that captain Cobus Grobbelaar has been cleared and will lead the team in their decisive Currie Cup encounter with Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

Grobbelaar — nicknamed 'Baywatch' — took a knock to the calf in his team's loss to the Sharks last week, but there was no serious damage and he will travel with the team to Cape Town.

Lions coach Eugene Eloff made just a few changes to his matchday squad in lieu of Grobbelaar's fitness.

Justin Wheeler replaces the injured Derick Minnie at flank, with Wilhelm Koch, in turn, taking the place of Wheeler on the bench.

Jaco van Schalkwyk returns from injury and takes over in the No.22 jersey — as a utility back on the bench — from Rayno Benjamin.

The Lions, who need just one point from the game to secure their place in the play-offs, know that Province must win, score at least four tries and ensure the winning margin is 19 points or more.

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Trompie Nontshinga, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Justin Wheeler, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Jannes Labuschagne, 19 Wilhelm Koch, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Jaco Van Schalkwyk.

Date: Saturday, 4 October
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Touch judges: Sindile Mayende, Marc van Zyl
TMO: Willie Roos

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