Jantjies takes playmaker role

 

Jantjies will play his 50th and final match for the Lions before leaving for Japan thanks to a special gesture by coach Ackermann.

 

In the forwards Ackermann has opted for consistency, making no changes to the group after last weekend’s 34-17 win over the Rebels.

 

Franco van der Merwe has passed a late fitness test to be included in his, and the Lions, final match of the season – this will be the locks' 99th Super Rugby game.

 

Ackermann was clearly desperate to have the influential forward play and see out his Lions career in style, stating earlier in the week: "Maybe we can pad him up, or do something, to protect the [injured] AC [joint] and give him the chance," he told rugby365.

 

Meanwhile, in the backline, Lionel Mapoe will start in the place of Deon van Rensburg, while Andries Coetzee comes in at fullback having returned from injury.

 

Mapoe will also celebrate 50 Super Rugby caps on Saturday.

 

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 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.

Replacments: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 Courtnall Skosan.

 

Date: Saturday, July 12

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Jaco van Heerden

TMO: Shaun Veldsman