Lions bring a Bok on board
The hapless Lions received a timely boost with the news that some of their injury concerns are clearing up ahead of their final tour match, against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Not only has Springbok prop CJ van der Linde's fitness improved significantly enough for him to start against the Force, but burly loose forward Grant Hattingh has also recovered from the injury that threatened to rule him out of the encounter.
Lions coach John Mitchell made just two changes to the team that lost to the Reds in Round 13.
Mitchell named the Bok prop, Van der Linde, at loosehead prop, with JC Janse van Rensburg dropping down to the bench.
The only other change is Tian Meyer starting at scrumhalf in place of the hopelessly out of form Ross Cronje – the latter dropping down to the bench.
And with Hattingh having made a speedy recovery from the knock he took to the upper leg, the Lions will field a very impressive pack.
Talented fullback Andries Coetzee (head knock) has also been cleared to start against the Force.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco Van der Merwe, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ Van der Linde.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Cobus Grobbelaar, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Ruan Combrinck, 22 James Kamana.
Date: Saturday, May 26
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 19.40 WAST (11.40 GMT)
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Matt O'Brien (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
