Springbok discard gets Lions start
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok Andries Coetzee makes a welcome return to the Lions team for their first Super Rugby game at Ellis Park – against the Reds on Saturday.
Coetzee will don the No.15 jumper, as he replaces Tiaan Swanepoel following the Lions’ 8-38 defeat to Jaguares.
In the only other change to the starting line-up, Morne van den Berg replaces the injured Andre Warner at scrumhalf.
The former Bulls No.9, Warner, suffered a sprained ankle in the loss to the Jaguares.
Meanwhile, Springbok scrumhalf Ross Cronje has returned to full training.
However, he has not been selected. Instead, Dillon Smit will be on the bench.
Joining Smit on the bench is Shaun Reynolds
Springboks Elton Jantjies retains the captain’s armband.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Duncan Matthews, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Ruan Vermaak, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Shaun Reynolds
Date: Saturday, February 8
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT; 23.00 Brisbane time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffon Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Your Emirates Lions who will face the Reds this weekend at Emirates Airline Park.#LionsPride #LIOvRED pic.twitter.com/r2BITUT9ld
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) February 6, 2020
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