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Lions add front row beef for Bulls

The Lions have made six changes, including the return of their first-choice front row, for their clash with the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Schalk van der Merwe, Robbie Coetzee and Julian Redelinghuys will all start as coach Johan Ackermann reverts to his first-choice combination up front after resting them against the Force in Perth last week.

Meanwhile, in the backline, Chrysander Botha will start at left wing, while Stokkies Hanekom comes in at outside centre as Deon van Rensburg drops down to the replacements bench.

Courtnall Skosan will fill the right wing berth, having recovered from injury.

 

Lions: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Chrysander Botha, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Willie Britz , 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Deon van Rensburg.

Date: Saturday, May 31

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Sieg van Staden (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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