Lions wait on Bok prop
The Lions will only make a call on Friday as to whether CJ van der Linde will be available to sit on the bench for their fixture against Samoa on Saturday.
Van der Linde has been battling with a leg injury and it seems the Lions do not want to risk him with a number of massive fixtures in the near future.
The Johannesburg side have had a torrid run recently with a number of their fixtures being cancelled and their tour of the United States also falling through but this weekend they will have a tough encounter with the side from the Pacific Islands.
Coming off their triumph in the Vodacom Cup the Lions will hope they can keep that momentum going heading into their highly anticipated promotion/relegation match at the end of the Super Rugby season.
There is only one change in the backline from the side that won the Vodacom Cup and that sees Nicolaas Hanekom – affectionately known as Stokkie – return to the outside centre position and Deon Helberg drops out of the squad.
The return of JC Janse van Rensberg to the Lions after his cameo with the Sharks will be a welcome sight and he jumps right back into the starting line-up. Gavin Annendale partners Hugo Kloppers in the locks.
Derick Minnie also returns from his short sabbatical with the Sharks and plays from the bench behind the impressive Warwick Tecklenburg and Jaco Kriel.
Ruan Combrink could be involved in his first rugby match since being injured seven months ago. He is bracketed in the No.23 position with Van der Linde.
The Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Gavin Annandale, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Francois du Toit, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Willie Britz, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Dylan des Fountain, 23 Ruan Combrink/CJ van der Linde.
Date: Saturday, June 1
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Lesego Legoete (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)
