Lions limp into BA
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions suffered a double blow on the eve of their departure to Buenos Aires.
The Lions lost the services of loose forward Albertus Smith (calf strain) and lock Stephan Lewies (minor pectoral tear) ahead of their opening match of the season.
Both are expected to be fit in a week, but are out of the team to face the Jaguares on Saturday.
Players who did not make the trip to BA include Cyle Brink (recovering from long-term injury), Robbie Coetzee (recovering from long-term injury), Johannes Jonker (recovering from long-term injury) and Ross Cronje (recovering from long-term injury).
Warren Whiteley will lead the team in Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires.
Each of the previous seven meetings between the Jaguares and Lions has been won by the home team on the day, with the Lions currently holding the edge with four wins to the Jaguares’ three.
Lions’ hooker Malcolm Marx (27) won more turnovers than anyone else in Super Rugby 2018.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Frans Van Wyk, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Robert Kruger, 21 Gianni Lombard/Dillon Smit, 22 Wandisile Simelane, 23 Ruan Combrinck.
Date: Saturday, February 16
Venue: Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 18.40 (23.40 SA time; 21.40 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO: Santiago Borsani
