Johan Ackermann has made 14 changes to the Golden Lions starting XV for Saturday's semi-final showdown against the Free State Cheetahs at Ellis Park.

Ackermann has reinstated his frontline players, after they were rested against Griquas last weekend. No 8 Warren Whiteley is the only one who has retained his place in the team.

In the pack, Jaco Kriel and Steph de Witt come in on the flanks, with Kriel also taking over the captaincy from Whiteley. Then, Franco Mostert and Lourens Erasmus form the lock pairing, while props Julian Redelinghuys and Jacques van Rooyen will scrum down either side of hooker Malcolm Marx in a new-look front row. 

In the back division, Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan and Anthony Volmink return as the back three, Stokkies Hanekom and Howard Mnisi will combine in midfield and Marnitz Boshoff continues his halfback-axis with Ross Cronjé.

Golden Lions – Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Stokkies Hanekom. 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Steph de Witt, 6 Jaco Kriel (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Sampie Mastriet.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images