Mapoe takes centre stage
Lions coach Johan Ackermann made a number of significant changes to his frontline selection, which will face the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
As reported earlier this week a number of players that Ackermann rested last week, against the Leopards/NWU-Pukke, will make the trip down to the Eastern Cape.
Julian Redelinghuys, Franco van der Merwe, Jaco Kriel, Warren Whiteley, Michael Bondesio, Marnitz Boshoff and Andries Coetzee will all start this weekend's match.
The most significant change is in the backline, where Springbok training squad member Lionel Mapoe comes in at outside centre – with JW Jonker moved to the bench.
Chrysander Botha will also start at wing for this fixture.
Willie Wepener is also promoted to the starting XV, as Robbie Coetzee provides cover on the bench.
Lions (to play the Southern Kings): 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Chrysander Botha, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Rudi Matthee, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Corne Fourie, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 JW Jonker.
Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 1700 (1500 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Golden Lions (to play the Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup team): 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Vainon Willis, 10 Guy Cronje (captain), 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Stephan de Witt, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Jacobus Roux, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements – from: Mark Pretorius, David Kounga, Pieter Vorster, MB Lusaseni, Lourens Erasmus, Lambert Groenewald, Jano Venter, Ricky Schroeder, Kobus de Kock, Deon Helberg, Brendon Hewitt.
Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
