New halfbacks for Lions

Ross Cronjé and Marnitz Boshoff will start for the Lions against the Highlanders at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Boshoff started last weekend's defeat to the Vodacom Bulls at fullback, and will make his first start in the No 10 jersey since the victory over the Rebels. The pairing haven't started a match together since the opening-round defeat to the Hurricanes, with the in-form duo of Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies finding favour.

Elsewhere among the backs, Alwyn Hollenbach replaces Howard Mnisi at inside centre, while Courtnall Skosan returns on the left wing and Andries Coetzee reverts to fullback.

Coach Johan Ackermann has also made two changes to the forwards, both in the front row. Schalk van der Merwe will start at loosehead and Robbie Coetzee, having made a full recovery this week, has been included at hooker.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Ruaan Lerm, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Howard Mnisi.

Super Rugby teams (Round 13)

Photo: Sabelo Mngoma/BackpagePix