Murray back in Lions midfield
The Lions have made four injury enforced changes and included centre Waylon Murray in the starting line-up to take on the Rebels.
The Lions have lost fullback Andries Coetzee, wing Deon van Resburg and scrumhalf Tian Meyer all through injuries sustained during the defeat to the Stormers last weekend.
Kiwi flyer James Kamana takes over at fullback for the match, while Lionel Mapoe moves from outside centre to the wing in a positional switch.
Murray fills the void left by Mapoe in the midfield and Michael Bondesio is reinstated in the No.9 jersey for the game.
Springbok centre Murray's elevation to the starting XV is the next step in his rehabilitation from long-term injuries after the 26-year-old came off the bench in the Lions last two matches.
On the bench Ross Cronje returns to provide scrumhalf cover, while UJ flyer JR Esterhuizen could make his first Super Rugby appearance if he is called on during the match. There is also one change in the forwards on the bench, where lock Etienne Oosthuizen takes over from Ruan Botha.
A win is vital for the Lions to keep their slim chances of avoiding the wooden spoon alive. A victory could put them ahead of the Blues, who are currently three points ahead of the Lions on the log. The Blues still have to play the Force in Auckland and the Brumbies away in their remaining matches, while the Lions play the Bulls at Loftus next weekend in their last match of the competition.
Lions: 15 James Kamana, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Butch James, 11 Anthonie Volminck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 JR Esterhuizen, 22 Ruan Combrinck.
Date: Saturday, July 7
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
