Coach Ivan van Rooyen has made six changes to the Lions starting lineup for Saturday’s away match against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.
Following their loss to the Rebels last weekend, Van Rooyen has rung the changes for this week’s crucial clash with the Blues.
In the back division, Wandisile Simelane has suffered a grade-one medial collateral ligament tear and was not considered for selection. His place at outside centre is taken by Mannie Rass.
Andries Coetzee drops to the bench, with Tyrone Green moving from the wing to fullback. Courtnall Skosan comes into the lineup to plug the gap at left wing.
Up front there’s a little more movement. In a direct swap, Hacjivah Dayimani comes in to start at No 8 at the expense of Len Massyn, who rotates to the bench. Staying in the back row, Ruan Vermaak cracks the nod at blindside flank, with Willem Alberts moving from the back row to No 4 lock in place of Ruben Schoeman.
Loosehead prop Dylan Smith is the only surviving member of the front row that started last week, as tighthead prop Carlu Sadie and hooker Pieter Jansen lose their spots in the run-on XV. They are replaced by Frans van Wyk and Jan-Henning Campher, respectively.
Lions – 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Len Massyn, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Shaun Reynolds 23 Andries Coetzee.
Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images
