Butch can roar again
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Former Springbok flyhalf Butch James is back in the Lions backline to take on his former team, the Sharks, in Saturday's Super Rugby clash in Johannesburg.
James returns from serving a suspension for a shoulder charge, and his return is a timely one with utility back Jaco Taute ruled out with a shoulder injury.
It has been learned that Taute will be out of action for about four months with what Lions coach Mitchell described as "shoulder reconstruction." Taute was injured in last weekend's match against the Force when trying to win a ball in a maul.
Without veteran centre Doppies le Grange there would have been a massive hole in the midfield without James.
The Lions injury woes in the second row continue this week with Ruan Botha called up to the South African Under-20 squad, and Hendrik Roodt makes his return to partner Franco van der Merwe.
There is also a change on the left wing where former UWC wing Anthonie Volminck comes in to make his Super Rugby debut in place of Michael Killian, who has struggled with his form this season.
There are more changes in the second row, where Etienne Oosthuizen provides lock cover and Waylon Murray makes his long awaited return from injury to cover the backs from the pine.
Mitchell says Murray is not quite ready yet to play at this level. However, the coach has no option but to bench him with all the midfield injuries the Lions are experiencing. Murray had a 40-minute run with Pirates in a club match last weekend.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Butch James, 11 Anthonie Volminck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Waylon Murray, 22 Ruan Combrinck.
Date: Saturday, June 2
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
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