Lions make key changes for Sharks clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship Round 14 clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.
There are a number of changes to the team that lost 24-43 to Connacht in their last outing.
There is a new halfback combination in the form of Gianni Lombard and Morne van den Berg.
Lombard comes in for the injured Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf.
In the midfield, Manual Rass gets a start in the midfield with first choice No,13 Henco van Wyk on the sidelines with a knee injury
The final change in the backline sees Rabs Maxwane get an opportunity in the No.14 jersey.
In the pack, Ruan Venter and Springbok Jaco Kriel return to starting positions in the back row and Ruben Schoeman joins Willem Alberts in the second row.
Ruan Delport has been named on the bench for a possible debut, with Springbok Ruan Dreyer and scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba returning from injury.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabs Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruhan Delport, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Ruhan Straeuli, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
