Whiteley finally back to lead Lions
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Whiteley will captain the Lions when they face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
Whiteley returns to Super Rugby action after an injury sidelined him in March this year.
Also back from injury are Malcolm Marx and Ross Cronjé while Courtnall Skosan should taste his first Super Rugby action of the year from the bench.
A Lions side brimming with experience has been selected for this big local derby which sees Springboks Aphiwe Dyantyi and Ruan Combrinck covering the wings, Francois Mostert with Marvin Orie at lock and a front row of Dylan Smith, Marx and Ruan Dreyer.
Marx will run out in his 50th Super Rugby match.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrink, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Francois Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Corné Fourie, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Marnus Schoeman, 22 Nicholas Groom, 23 Courtnall Skosan.
Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
