Lions rotate pack, Faf left out

Johan Ackermann has made five changes to the Lions team ahead of Friday's game against the Brumbies in Canberra.

The coach's rotation policy sees the introduction of an all-new front row, with Corné Fourie, Robbie Coetzee and Johannes Jonker replacing Jacques van Rooyen, Malcolm Marx and Ruan Dreyer, who all move to the bench.

Lock Andries Ferreira slots straight back into the starting XV after missing last week's game against the Rebels, at the expense of Lourens Erasmus, while Cyle Brink is replaced by Ruan Ackermann at blindside flank.

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who has reportedly signed for the Sale Sharks, is not in the match 23.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Corné Fourie.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Robert Kruger/Cyle Brink, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Anthony Volmink.

Photo: Anne Laing/HM Images

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