The Lions will again be without captain Cobus Grobbelaar when they take on the Free State Cheetahs in a vital Currie Cup rugby match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Grobbelaar has again been ruled out of the game due to the shoulder injury he suffered against the Sharks in August, which ruled him out of the Western Province game a week later.

Willem Alberts will take over as captain.

Lock Willem Stoltz, who was cited for reckless cleaning at a maul in the match against the Bulls last weekend, has been found guilty in will serve a one week suspension. He is replaced by Johan Snyman.

Lions: 15 Earl Lewis; 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Johan Jackson; 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak; 8 Willem Alberts (captain), 7 Franco Van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Johan Snyman, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Wouter Moore, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Johan Van Deventer, 21 Doppies La Grange, 22 Ruan Boshoff.

Date: Saturday, September 5
Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Mandla Dakuse
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee