Coach Swys de Bruin has made two changes to the Lions’ starting lineup for Saturday’s Super Rugby quarter-final against the Jaguares at Ellis Park.

Scrumhalf Ross Cronjé replaces the injured Nic Groom, who underwent surgery on Tuesday after breaking his hand against the Bulls last week, while Aphiwe Dyantyi is elevated to the run-on XV ahead of Courtnall Skosan, who drops to the bench.

Prop Dylan Smith has recovered from a calf strain and will make his return to action via the bench, while Dillon Smit will provide scrumhalf cover for Cronjé.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smith, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Howard Mnisi.

Super Rugby teams (Quarter-finals)

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images