Blues lose Bekhuis for Lions clash
Bekhuis tweaked his calf in the win over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth, with the injury not improving sufficiently to play.
It will be the first game that the Super Rugby centurion has missed this year for the Blues, with the aggressive Hoani Matenga to take his place for his third start in the last five games.
With an expected major battle upfront, All Black Charlie Faumuina returns to start in the front row alongside the in-form Sam Prattley and skipper James Parsons.
Robust loose forward Joe Edwards moves into the bench with Steven Luatua providing the lock cover.
The backline remains unchanged from last week’s game against the Kings.
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 George Moala, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Hoani Matenga, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Kara Pryor, 20 Joe Edwards, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 Male Sa'u.
Date: Saturday, May 14
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT; 05.15 Sunday May 15, NZ time)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Lesego Legoete (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
