The Lions have named an unchanged match 23 for their game against the Kings at Ellis Park on Friday.

Coach Johan Ackermann has opted for the same starting XV that ran the Sharks ragged last weekend.

Jaco Kriel will again captain the side, while Ruan Ackermann retains his place at No 8 after a strong showing against the Sharks.

The Lions have already won the Africa 2 conference and booked a home quarter-final, but can ensure they stay at home throughout the playoffs by finishing with the most log points of the 18 teams.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Sylvian Mahuza.

Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images