The selection of Elton Jantjies at inside centre is one of four changes to the Lions’ starting lineup for Saturday’s crucial derby against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus.
Jantjies, who was on the bench in the defeat to the Hurricanes last week, returns to the run-on XV for the first time in three weeks after he was dropped for a breach of team protocol in their match against the Sharks.
Jantjies’ inclusion comes at the expense of Harold Vorster, who has been left out of the match 23 altogether. The only other change in the backline is rotational, with wing Tyrone Green replacing Courtnall Skosan.
Up front, No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani and lock Rhyno Herbst come in for the injured duo Kwagga Smith and Stephan Lewies respectively.
Scrumhalf Dillon Smit and utility back Wandisile Simelane are the only new additions to the bench.
Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Elton Jantjies, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx (c), 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: Jan-Henning Campher, Nathan McBeth, Johannes Jonker, Reinhard Nothnagel, Marnus Schoeman, Dillon Smit, Wandisele Simelane, Courtnall Skosan.
Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
