Kuridrani will play his 100th game for the Brumbies in the clash against the Johannesburg Lions at Ellis Park on Sunday morning Australian time in a game that looms as the perfect launching pad for his Wallabies hopes.

The Brumbies have struggled to get the powerful outside centre into games this season, scoring just one try in 10 matches and statistically down on tackle busts, runs, metres gained and offloads.

But Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has urged his players to throw "caution to the wind" against the Lions, giving them an attacking licence to take the game on.

"We know it's going to be a tough battle, but there will be opportunities and I want the guys to have the freedom to take the game on," McKellar said on Friday.

"We didn't come here to maul and slow the game down. We want to play without fear and have a crack."

The Brumbies held an emotional jersey presentation for Kuridrani and 150-game veteran Ben Alexander before their final training session on Friday.

Kuridrani's father and Alexander's mother sent messages via video as part of the recognition for their contribution to the Brumbies.

Kuridrani is still believed to be the front-runner for the Wallabies' No. 13 jersey to play against Ireland next month, but returning to form will cement his spot.

The 27-year-old has been one of the Brumbies' most consistent players since making his debut in 2012, starting on the bench in just four of his 99 caps so far.

He has also been a Brumbies workhorse, missing only a handful of games since becoming a regular starter and and averaging 76 minutes per game for the past six seasons.

"Tevita's work rate and effort has been tremendous this year, it's just about getting him some touches," said Wallabies assistant Stephen Larkham.

"The game plan needs to be modified a bit to get him into the games and benefit from the running ability he has.

"He's been consistent [his entire career], he's one of the best defensive centres in the world and the best in Australia. Combine that with his size and his ability, there's no reason why he shouldn't be [in the Wallabies]."

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made three changes to his starting XV, with the team to bolstered by the return of injured duo David Pocock and Isi Naisarani while Kyle Godwin is back at inside centre.

The Brumbies have won just three of their 10 games so far this year and are fourth on the Australian conference ladder after failing to fire against the Melbourne Rebels last week.

The loss against the Rebels all but ruined their hopes of being a finals contender this season with just two home games remaining in the year.

"But this is a good opportunity for us to get over in South Africa and focus on ourselves rather than worrying about what's going on back home," said Brumbies co-captain Sam Carter.

"We can go out there and just play. I don't think there's anything to lose now, we're going to play our own way and play fear free.

"At times this year maybe we've put a bit too much pressure on ourselves and maybe that's why you've seen some inconsistent performances. We've played well in patches, but not so well in others.

"So being in South Africa, focusing on ourselves, is going to be really good for us."

The Lions have been one of the best teams in Super Rugby in the past three years, but they're back at home for the first time in five weeks and without star hooker Malcolm Marx.

The Brumbies have three of their past four matches at Ellis Park and hope the return of Pocock will add starch to their forward pack for an expected brutal battle.

The Brumbies are trying to snap a four-game losing streak - the club's longest since 2011 - and another defeat would be salt in the wounds.

"We've always prided ourself on being the best in the competition and playing finals every year," Carter said.

"Our expectations were the same this year ... a few things didn't go our way and we lost some early matches. That compounded ... we kept trying harder and found ourselves in the position we're in.

"I don't think it's a burden. It's just about focusing on us and playing our game. There hasn't been a burden during the season, we just know what we need to do."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 14

Sunday: Johannesburg Lions v ACT Brumbies at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 1.15am. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.

Brumbies: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Andy Muirhead, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rob Valetini, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Folau Faingaa, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Ben Alexander, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Tom Cusack, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Andrew Smith.

Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Sylvian Mahuza, 13. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Madosh Tambwe, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani, 7. Franco Mostert (c), 6. Kwagga Smith, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Lourens Erasmus, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. Dylan Smith Reserves: 16. Corne Fourie, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Johannes Jonker, 19. Len Massyn, 20. Marnus Schoeman, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Shaun Reynolds, 23. Ruan Combrinck.