The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport channel at 19h00.

This landmark occasion for one of the team’s stalwarts is expected to fuel their determination to bounce back strongly from their defeat against the Cell C Sharks last week and reduce the gap between themselves and the top five teams on the log as the as the season heats up.

Phakisa Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse made seven changes to his team for the battle – two of which were positional switches – which will see a new-look front row as Dewald Maritz (prop) and Simon Westraadt (hooker) earn starts next to Ruan Kramer.

Luther Obi on the attack for the Phakisa Pumas

The lock pairing also differs from last week with Le Roux Roets and regular captain Pieter Jansen van Vuren, who missed out last weekend due to injury, taking over from Brendon Snyman and Darrien Landsberg respectively.

Landsberg, however, retains his place in the starting XV in the loose trio, with his inclusion at flank resulting in Phumzile Maqondwana taking over the No 6 jersey from Francois Kleinhans.

The only change in the backline was at right wing, where Luther Obi takes over from for Morne Joubert.

Phakisa Pumas: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Etienne Taljaard, 10 Devon Williams, 9 Ginter Smuts, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Phumzile Maqondwana, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren (captain), 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Dewald Maritz. Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Ignatius Prinsloo, 18 Brandon Valentyn, 19 Daniel Maartens, 20 Chriswill September, 21 Tiaan Botes, 22 Wayne van der Bank, 23 Liam Hendricks.

Match information – Phakisa Pumas v Tafel Lager Griquas
Date: Friday, 4 December 2020
Time: 19h00
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Stuart Berry
Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, Morne Ferreira
TMO: Willie Vos
TV: SuperSport Rugby and Grandstand