Whiteley returns to lead new-look Lions against Chiefs
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Whiteley is back to lead the Lions for their Super Rugby Round Ten clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.
Whiteley returns to the team seven weeks after suffering a pectoralis major muscle tear in the match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
He joined the Lions on Sunday after passing a fitness test last Friday.
Whiteley’s return is one of many changes to the Lions team that lost 20-31 to the Brumbies in Round Nine.
In the backline, Sylvian Mahuza takes over the fullback role from Andries Coetzee, who drops down to the bench.
Courtnall Skosan replaces Ruan Combrinck on the wing and there is a new halfback pairing with Gianni Lombard and Ross Cronje taking over from Elton Jantjies and Nic Groom.
In the pack, Whiteley is back at No.8 and he is joined in the back row by Cyle Brink at No.7 and Kwagga Smith at No.6.
Stephen Lewies moves to the second row to replace Rhyno Herbst.
There is also a new front row Carlu Sadie, Robbie Coetzee and Sti Sithole replacing Johannes Jonker, Malcolm Marx and Nathan McBeth
Lions: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Frans Van Wyk, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Date: Friday, April 19
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC
