Dan Kriel will lead the Lions out in the absence of Elton Jantjies in their Rainbow Cup derby against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Kriel will wear the captain’s armband, as regular captain and flyhalf Jantjies is currently on a short-term loan to French side Pau.
Fred Zeilinga, who joined on an initial trial basis, will take Jantjies’ place in the flyhalf channel, forming the halfback combination with former Bulls scrumhalf Andre Warner.
Tiaan Swanepoel starts in a back three with Stean Pienaar and Courtnall Skosan, while Wandisile Simelane starts at outside centre.
In the pack, Francke Horn starts in a youthful back row alongside Vincent Tshituka and MJ Pelser. Wilhelm van der Sluys and Ruben Schoeman are in the second row, while Jannie du Plessis, PJ Botha and Sti Sithole make up the front row.
Lions coach Cash van Rooyen has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench. Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and utility back EW Viljoen are the two backline replacements.
@emirates Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has remained firm on the succession plan of the Lions Rugby Company by putting his faith in the blend of youth and experience for the first round of the Rainbow Cup SA that kicks off this weekend at Loftus Versfeld against the Vodacom Bulls. pic.twitter.com/oqhdwuBlaa
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) April 29, 2021
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Photo: Gallo Images
