Lions coach John Mitchell has made one change to his starting team to face the Pumas in their Currie Cup match in Nelspruit on Friday.

Flank Derick Minnie, recovering from slight concussion and an ear injury, was replaced by Michael Rhodes in the team named on Tuesday.

"Derick took a knock to the head (against the Sharks last week)," Mitchell said.

"He also had the most minutes of play out of all the loosies in Super Rugby, so rather than focus on the short term, it's important to focus on the long term.

"We've got a good core team so it's just a matter of getting Michael (Rhodes) started."

Regular skipper Joshua Strauss, who missed last week's victory over the Sharks with a rib injury, was bracketed in the team with Warren Whitely.

Mitchell said a decision on who would start at eighthman would be made on Thursday. Whoever did not start, between Strauss and Whitely, would replace Rhodes on the bench.

Flank Cobus Grobbelaar, however, was likely to captain the side again.

"It's highly likely that Cobus will be captain," Mitchell said.

"Today [Tuesday] was the first full session that Josh (Strauss) has had since he picked up his injury, so we'll look to see how he recovers."

Mitchell said his team, five points clear at the top of the log midway through the competition, would look to build on their momentum this weekend.

"We're very excited with our position at the moment but it's always a matter of taking it one week at a time, and we have approached it like that since the start of the Currie Cup," he said.

The Lions would not underestimate the Pumas this weekend, Mitchell assured, despite their hosts struggling in second last place on the log.

"They're actually a very good carrying football team," Mitchell said.

"They do apply pressure and they are a very proud union.

"They are physical in the same region as us and there are certain players within that group from a Super Rugby point of view, so there is still a lot left for them in the competition."

Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley/Joshua Strauss, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Warren Whiteley/Joshua Strauss, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Doppies La Grange, 22 Burton Francis.

Date: Friday, September 2
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha

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