The Lions have made six changes to their starting lineup for Saturday's match against the Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Coach Johan Ackermann has opted for an all-new front row with props Corné Fourie and Ruan Dreyer replacing Dylan Smith and Julian Redelinghuys respectively, while Akker van der Merwe comes in for the injured Malcolm Marx at hooker. Jaco Kriel gets a rest with Cyle Brink set to start at blindside flank.
Keeping up with the Lions' rotation policy, Faf de Klerk returns at scrumhalf and Howard Mnisi is back at inside centre. Ross Cronjé and Rohan Janse van Rensburg move to the bench.
Hooker Ramone Samuels and prop Jacques van Rooyen are the only new additions to the reserves.
Lions – 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Corné Fourie.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 JW Bell, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images
