Lions 'axe' a couple of Boks
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made a handful of changes for the Ellis Park outing, just one injury-related.
Harold Vorster comes into he midfield for the injured Howard Mnisi, who will miss the rest of the season – having to undergo knee surgery next week, in the wake of the serious injury he suffered in the win over the Cheetahs last week.
Ross Cronjé will start a scrumhalf in place of Francois de Klerk, after Cronje's impressive cameo in the win over the Cheetahs.
Cronje will reach a great milestone this weekend, by playing his 50th Super Rugby game for the Lions.
Robbie Coetzee will start at hooker ahead of Marx.
Dylan Smith has recovered from his shoulder injury and comes in on the bench as front row cover, as does Sylvian Mahuza.
Bok midfielder Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been named at centre, despite the death of his mother this week.
* Meanwhile it was confirmed that Nicolaas Hanekom will join the Southern Kings on a loan basis, while Koch Marx joined Griquas, also on loan.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Albertus Smith, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Sylvian Mahuza, 23 Jaco van der Walt.
Date: Saturday, March 4
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.05 (13.05 GMT; 00.05 Sunday, March 5 AEDT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
