Lions get big names back for Waratahs clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Swys de Bruin has named his team to face the Waratahs in a Super Rugby Round 13 encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Warren Whiteley is back to lead the Lions after missing his side’s last match against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Springboks Malcolm Marx and Courtnall Skosan are also back in the starting XV. Marx takes over the No.2 jersey again while Skosan is on the wing.
Harold Vorster takes over the No.12 jersey from Elton Jantjies with the latter moving back to flyhalf.
The other changes to the backline sees Andries Coetzee at fullback this week and Ross Cronje taking over the No.9 jersey from Nic Groom.
In the pack, Whiteley is joined in the back row by Vincent Tshituka at No.7 while Kwagga Smith holds onto the No.6 jersey.
The only change to the tight five is Marx’s return at hooker with Robbie Coetzee out of the matchday 23.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Tyrone Green.
Date: Saturday, May 11
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.05(13.05 GMT, 23.05 Sydney time)
Referee: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)