The former Valke and Cheetahs scrumhalf Gerrie Odendaal is the latest Free State discard to be given game time for the Griffons in their first league fixture against the Eagles in George in Friday night.
Odendaal started for the Cheetahs in their first Currie Cup match of the season against the Griquas and was demoted to the bench for last weekend.
His inclusion is one of only two changes to the unbeaten Griffons team with fullback Taro Maarman replacing an injured Fabian Juries.
The Griffons coach Oersond Gorgonzola has also made a few changes to the bench, opting for the former Griffons captain Sarel Louw, former Boland lock Piet Myburgh and former Lions inside centre Thabang Molefe on the bench.
Louw has just returned from injury after breaking a leg while training with the wider Cheetahs Super Rugby squad and his return would strengthen an already impressive front row.
Myburgh is another experienced campaigner and Molefe has also played at a higher level. Scrumhalf Enrico Swartz is somewhat unlucky to be ousted by the highly rated Odendaal – a product of the Blue Bulls junior factory.
Griffons vs. Eagles:
Tertius Maarman; Darryl Coeries, Eddie Fredericks, Werner Griesel, Shane Hancke; Kennedy Tsimba, Gerrie Odendaal; Nicky Steyn (c), Marnus Briedenhann, Albert Parsons, Windpomp van Rooyen, Isak van der Westhuizen, Sewes Oosthuizen, Ashley Johnson, Kevin Stevens.
Reserves: Herschol Johnson, Sarel Louw, Piet Myburgh, Johnny Fourie, Enrico Swartz, Thabang Molefe, Tiaan van Wyk.
