Johannesburg – Lions coach Johan Ackermann was forced into a number of changes to his forward pack to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, due to several injuries to his side.
Jacques van Rooyen comes in at loosehead prop, with Schalk van der Merwe shifting to the bench to provide cover.
Jaco Kriel, meanwhile, has been withdrawn due to the recurrence of a groin injury.
As a result, Derick Minnie will start at left flank, while Warwick Tecklenburg was called-up to the starting line-up to fill in at right flank.
Despite the changes, Ackermann named an identical backline and resisted the urge to continue the trend.
Both Robbie Coetzee and Julian Redelinghuys have recovered from their respective injuries and have been called-up as cover at hooker and prop respectively.
Twenty-year-old lock, JP du Preez, will look to make his Super Rugby debut should he get a run off the bench.
Additionally, Ruaan Lerm will provide loose-forward cover and is also a potential debutant, while centre Harold Vorster has been drafted in and will also make his debut should he play on Saturday.
Lions team: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Courtnall Skosan, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (captain), Warwick Tecklenburg, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe, Julian Redelinghuys, JP du Preez, Ruaan Lerm, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Harold Vorster. – Sapa