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Vorster back for Lions

Vorster back for LionsVorster, who gas been sidelined since August last year after a serious knee injury, returns to the Lions' starting XV for their second Super Rugby pre-season outing against the tournament newcomers the Jaguares at the Wits Stadium on Friday.

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Coach Johan Ackermann mixed his team up, following last week's 24-28 loss to the Bulls.

The starting XV shows 14 changes from that which ran out against the Bulls in Polokwane, with lock Andries Ferreira the only player to have retained his place.

The return of Vorster, one of the most promising midfielders in South Africa, headlines the team changes.

He will be partnered in midfield with stalwart Nicolaas Hanekom.

John-Wessel Bell, signed from the Pumas in the off-season starts at fullback. Koch Marx and Anthony Volmink are on the wings, while Springbok Marnitz Boshoff and Dillon Smit are the new halfback combination.

Ruan Ackermann, son of coach Johan, will start at No.8, with youngsters Cyle Brink and Stephan de Wit the flanks.

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Luvuyiso Lusaseni will partner Ferreira in the second row, while the front row consists of Pieter Scholtz, Armand van der Merwe and Corne Fourie.

The bench consists of 13 players.

Lions: 15 John-Wessel Bell, 14 Koch Marx, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Stephan de Wit, 5 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements – from: Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith, Jacques van Rooyen, Lourens Erasmus, Bobby de Wee, Martin Muller, Ramone Samuels, Fabian Booysen, Ruaan Lerm, Jaco van der Walt, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Nel, Ashlon Davids, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Ricky Schroeder , Selom Gavor.

Date: Friday, February 19

Venue: Wits Stadium, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 19.00 (14.00 Argentina time; 17.00 GMT)

Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)

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Vorster back for Lions

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