Lions restore regular halfbacks

Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies have been recalled to the starting XV for the Lions' clash with the Brumbies at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The two came off the bench to good effect in the victory over the Highlanders, injecting some much-needed intensity into the Lions play after the break. Therefore it is no surprise to see them starting against the Australians, with Ross Cronjé dropping to the bench and Marnitz Boshoff dropping out of the match-day squad altogether.

Elsewhere among the backline Lionel Mapoe has recovered from injury and will start on the right wing, with the impressive Harold Vorster continuing in his role at outside centre.

Coach Johan Ackermann has made two further changes, both coming among the forward pack. Martin Muller comes into the second row, while Warwick Tecklenburg is handed a deserved rest, with Robert Kruger taking his place on the side of the scrum.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Robert Kruger, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 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 MB Lusaseni, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Howard Mnisi.

Super Rugby teams (Round 14)

Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images