Coach Swys de Bruin has made six changes to the Lions’ starting XV for Saturday’s crucial match against the Brumbies at Ellis Park.

Following his side’s disappointing four-game tour of Australasia, which resulted in one victory and three defeats, De Bruin has wielded the axe ahead of their first match back on home soil.

Sylvian Mahuza replaces Ruan Combrinck on the right wing, with the latter dropping to the bench. Centres Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster have been left out of the match 23 altogether, with Aphiwe Dyantyi and Rohan Janse van Rensburg starting in the new-look midfield. Madosh Tambwe will play left wing in place of Dyantyi.

In the pack, No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani comes into the loose trio at the expense of Cyle Brink, with Kwagga Smith shifting to openside flank to accommodate Dayimani’s inclusion.

Lourens Erasmus takes over from Andries Ferreira at No 4 lock and Ruan Dreyer returns at tighthead prop, relegating Johannes Jonker to the bench.

The Lions were also handed a timely boost by the return of scrumhalf Ross Cronjé to the match-day squad after his spell on the sidelines.

Lions – 1 5 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Corné Fourie, 17 Jacques van Rooyen 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Len Massyn, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Ruan Combrinck.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix