Lions mix up the pack

 

The forwards see several changes as Jacques van Rooyen comes in at loosehead prop.

 

Hence, Schalk van der Merwe shifts to the bench to provide cover. 

 

Additionally, Jaco Kriel has been withdrawn due to the recurrence of a groin injury.

 

As a result, Derick Minnie will start at flank and Warwick Tecklenburg is called up to the starting line-up to fill the other flank berth.

 

There have been absolutely no changes to the starting Lions backline for the match.

 

Meanwhile, on the bench, both Robbie Coetzee and Julian Redelinghuys have recovered from their respective injuries and have been called up to cover the hooker and prop berths respectively.

 

Twenty-year-old lock JP du Preez will look to make his Super Rugby debut should he get a run off the bench.

 

Additionally, Ruaan Lerm will provide loose forward cover and is also a potential debutant.

 

Centre Harold Vorster has been drafted in and will also make his Super Rugby debut should he play on Saturday.

 

All three of these players have worked their way through the Golden Lions junior ranks.

 

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9  Ross Cronje, 8  Warren Whiteley (captain), 7  Warwick Tecklenburg, 6  Derick Minnie, 5  Franco Mostert, 4  Martin Muller, 3  Ruan Dreyer, 2  Malcolm Marx, 1  Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacments: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Ruaan Lerm, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Harold Vorster.

 

Date: Saturday, February 21

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)

Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Stuart Berry (South Africa)

TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)