Marx at hooker for Lions

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has produced a couple of surprises in his starting XV for the opening match of the Super Rugby season.

The Lions will host the Hurricanes at Ellis Park on Friday.

Ackermann has named an interesting collection – a classic combination of youth and experience.

One of the most significant selections is young Malcolm Marx at hooker, ahead of Armand van der Merwe – who will play off the bench.

With Robbie Coetzee still recovering from the neck surgery that resulted in him being sent home from the Springbok tour squad last year, the former South African Under-20 hooker, Marx, gets the first bite at the No.2 cherry.

Marx will be flanked in the front row by Ruan Dreyer and Schalk van der Merwe – with Springbok prop Julian Redelinghuys, who played two Tests off the bench on SA's year-end tour, still recovering from the 'hamstring tweak' he suffered a few weeks back.

Another player missing the opening round is star loose forward Luvuyiso Lusaseni, who is still recovering from the fractured ankle he suffered late last year.

There is also some interesting backline selections – with Howard Mnisi starting at inside centre alongside Lionel Mapoe in the midfield, with stalwart Nicolaas Hanekom on the bench.

Coach Johan Ackermann said he opted for Mnisi ahead of Hanekom as the latter only just came back from injury and he also missed a bit of training last week due to a minor niggle.

However, he is confident the veteran is 100 percent.

At flyhalf 2014 Springbok vintage Marnitz Boshoff edges out 2012 Bok Elton Jantjies in the race for the N0.10 jersey.

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 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Nicolaas Hanekom

Date: Friday, February 13

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT; 06.10 Saturday, February 14 NZ time)

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)

Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Lesego Legoete (South Africa)

TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)

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