Ackermann forced to change Lions
Lions coach Johan Ackermann was forced to change his team for their trans-Jukskei Super Rugby derby with the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Ackermann would have opted for consistency and an unchanged selection, but made two injury-enforced changes to the starting XV that derailed the Stormers 34-10 last weekend.
The changes see Warwick Tecklenburg start on the flank in the place of the injured Derick Minnie, who suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Jacobus Jonker comes into the side at outside centre, with Stefan Watermeyer moving to inside centre in place of Alwyn Hollenbach – who was unable to pass a fitness test on Thursday.
Meanwhile, on the replacement bench Willie Britz will provide loose forward cover, having recovered from his hip flexor injury.
Utility back Courtnall Skosan also comes in on the bench and will look to make his Super Rugby debut.
Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jacobus Jonker, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 20 Willie Britz, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Coenie van Wyk.
Date: Saturday, March 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Sieg van Staden (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
