Johannesburg – Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann has been forced to withdraw flyhalf Jaco van der Walt from his side to face Western Province in their Currie Cup clash in Cape Town on Saturday.
Van der Walt sustained a knee injury during last weekend's clash with the Eastern Province Kings at Ellis Park.
The 20-year-old has been unable to recover in time for Saturday's match but it is hoped he will return to action next week.
As a result, Stokkies Hanekom will shift to flyhalf. Lionel Mapoe moves to outside centre, while Courtnall Skosan will start at wing.
“It is unfortunate Jaco cannot play, as it would have been a great learning experience for him to come up against a solid Western Province outfit,” Ackermann said in a statement.
“We are, however, confident in our new selections and are looking forward to our run out in Cape Town.”
The Lions' depth at flyhalf is wearing thin after first-choice pivot Marnitz Boshoff fractured his right arm in their first-round match against the Blue Bulls.
Golden Lions team: Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Ruan Combrinck, Stokkies Hanekom, Ross Cronje, Willie Britz, Warwick Tecklenburg, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, MB Lusaseni, Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen, Martin Muller, Jaco Kriel, Guy Cronje, Kwagga Smith, Howard Mnisi. – Sapa