Lions change it up to end losing streak

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions return to Ellis Park after a horror trip to Europe that yielded no wins, as they hope to revive their faltering United Rugby Championship campaign.

Ivan van Rooyen’s side welcome Italian giants Benetton at The Den, the coach making a number of significant changes in the hope of ending their losing streak.

Van Rooyen has backed Kade Wolhuter at flyhalf, in place of Gianni Lombard, who drops out of the matchday 23.

Wolhuter was a member of the recent winless tour without getting game time.

He is now tasked to drive the Lions’ faltering attack against a Benetton side that arrived in Johannesburg with 11 internationals on the roster.

Benetton, seventh on the standings with 36 points, will look to cement their top-eight position against a Lions side that has dropped down to 14th on the standings with 30 points.\

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In other team news, Zimbabwe international Tapiwa Mafura starts on the right wing in place of the injured Richard Kriel.

There is also a reshuffled midfield combination. Manuel Rass is out injured, meaning Rynhardt Jonker shifts out outside centre and Marius Louw comes in at No.12.

The pack shows several tactical changes.

JC Pretorius starts on the openside flank in place of Jarod Cairns, with the explosive loose-forward Renzo du Plessis – Currie Cup Player of the Year – getting a run off the bench.

PJ Botha starts at hooker in place of Franco Marais and Juan Schoeman is the loosehead prop in place of SJ Kotze.

Youngster Kelly Mpeku provides backline cover on the bench alongside Nico Steyn.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Low, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Renzo du Plessis, 23 Kelly Mpeku.

Date: Saturday, April 19
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13.45 (13.45 Italian time; 11.45 GMT)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)