Johan Jackson (picture above) replaces Swart at fullback, while Gerhard van der Merwe moves in to the outside centre spot. The other change in the backline is at scrumhalf where Christiaan van den Berg makes way for Ignick Windvogel.
Up front there are changes in the back row, at lock and in the front row.
Willie Nel takes over from Devin Oosthuizen at No 8 with the latter moving to the side of the scrum. He replaces Ntokozo Mashele.
At lock Duncan Naude looses his place to Henjo van Niekerk.
In the front row there are two changes. Bronco Visagie (tigh head prop) and Sylvester Booysen (hooker) makes way for Peet Vorster and Kurt Haupt respectively.
“If you want to beat TUT, you have to win the collisions. And for that to happen, you need to have at least an equal say in the set pieces. That was the logic behind our changes in the pack,” said head coach Freddie Grobler.
He added that Tuks are by no means the championships favourites, despite their top spot on the log.
“It will be ill judged to talk about favourites at this very early stage of the competition. There is still al long way to go and we will not be swayed in our attitude to not look or plan further than your next game,” said Grobler with firm determination.
The team is:
15 JOHAN JACKSON
14 LUVUYO MHLOBISO
13 GERHARD VAN DER MERWE
12 FRANCO BOOYSEN
11 AARON DENENGA
10 PIET-PIET SWART
9 IGNICK WINDVOGEL
8 WILLIE NEL
7 DEVIN OOSTHUIZEN
6 DANIE CROUS
5 HENJO VAN NIEKERK
4 JOHAN DE BRUIN (c)
3 PEET VORSTER
2 KURT HAUPT
1ETTIENNE BREYTENBACH
16 ALFRED KHOZA
17 PEET BOTMA
18 EMILE VERSTER
19 GERT LUBBE
20 CHRISTIAN VAN DEN BERG
21 CHANDRE BOSHOFF
22 ELWYN FRANSMAN