Lions' pivotal change
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Johan Ackermann has largely stuck to his guns with the only change for the Lions against the Kings coming at flyhalf with Marnitz Boshoff out injured.
Rookie Jaco van der Walt, who played SA Schools in 2011 and 2012, was set to work his way into the big leagues with a few appearances off the bench.
However, the injury to Boshoff, who fractured his arm against the Blue Bulls last weekend, has forced Van der Walt to come to the fore.
"We wanted for him to continue his learning curve, coming off the bench for the next few weeks," Ackermann said earlier in the week.
"However, that plan has gone out the window now. Jaco [van der Walt] must now step in, but he has the pedigree.
"He played SA Schools [in 2011 and 2012] and has been earmarked, at a young age, as a future prospect.
"That process will now start a bit earlier."
Meanwhile, on the bench, Ackermann has drafted in Guy Cronje and Albertus Smith.
Smith will celebrate his Currie Cup debut should he get a run out on Saturday.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee,1 Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Willie Britz, 19 Warwick Tecklenburg, 20 Guy Cronje, 21 Albertus Smith, 22 Howard Mnisi.
Date: Saturday, August 16
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Francois Pretorius, Sieg van Staden
TMO: Willie Vos
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