The Lions, boosted by the return of Springboks Werner Swanepoel and Thinus Delport, will look to secure their semifinal status when they meet a weakened Pumas on Saturday at Witbank.

The Pumas were forced to make seven changes to their side from last week against the Natal Sharks. The biggest disruption is at the back where Jorrie Kruger (back) and Geoff Appleford (broken hand) join Giscard Pieters (shoulder) and Jaco van der Westhuyzen (knee) on the sidelines.

The Lions, on the other hand, are relatively injury free and should produce the type of rugby that's been expected of them all season. Coach Laurie Mains said on Thursday his team is getting closer to the standard of play he envisages.

"Last week we had periods of play that had me pretty satisfied. There were some handling errors, but the conditions weren't great. We are getting close to the standard we set for ourselves. But we must try and get more commitment to our pattern."

He attributed the Lions slow start to the Currie Cup campaign to the disruptions brought about by injuries. "We had spate of injuries - last year we weren't as disrupted and the team was more settled and committed."

Mains laughed when he was asked to comment on the disrupted Pumas team and it was clear he believed the Pumas are trying to catch them unawares. "I think all those guys will play," the New Zealander said.

The Pumas face an uphill task against a Lions team who are approaching their peak and if they do win, it will be a major upset.

Teams for Johann van Riebeeck Stadium:

Pumas: Kat de Jager; Kobus Kruger, Frikkie Welsh, Riaan Potgieter, Gavin Passens; Jacques Benade, Bennie Nortjé (capt); Piet Joubert, Clarke Roberts, Francois Rossouw, Matt Frank, Chaka Willemse, Japie Barnard, Paul Hoffman, Sias Wagner. Substitutes: Gerhard van Heerden, Hakkies Swart, Marius Bosman, Charl Els, Jason de Kock, Kallie Benadie, Chivago Breda.

Lions: Thinus Delport; Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Japie Mulder, Conrad Jantjes, Louis Koen, Werner Swanepoel, Russel Winter, Piet Krause, Walter Minnaar, Jannes Labuschagne (capt), Johan Ackermann, Willie Meyer, Delarey du Preez, Pietman van Niekerk. Substitutes (from): Leon Boshoff, Nic Moore, Marius Mostert, Hannes Strydom, Grant Bartle, Hennie le Roux, Pat Marran, Dean Hall.