Young rookie centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg is back in the Lions team for Friday’s Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
The 22-year-old has not played rugby since injuring his neck and shoulder in the Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes in Wellington four weeks ago.
Coach Johan Ackermann allowed Janse van Rensburg to rest and recover after the rigours of the Super Rugby campaign, but he has now included the young dynamo in his starting team for the match with the Lions’ northern neighbours.
Janse van Rensburg will, however, start in the No 13 jersey on Friday, with Howard Mnisi playing in the inside centre position.
Also back for the Lions – who are coming off a good win against Boland – is SA Sevens star and Rio Olympic Games bronze medal winner, Kwagga Smith.
The flanker has also been included in the starting team, at openside flank, with his loose-trio partners being Cyle Brink and Ruan Ackermann, who shifts back to eighthman after playing in the second row last weekend.
Also back in the fold after missing out last week, in what is part of the team’s rotation policy, are Jacques van Rooyen, Lourens Erasmus and Courtnall Skosan.
Andries Ferreira and Sylvian Mahuza were not considered for selection because of injury, while the starting team shows 11 changes in all from the side that romped to a an emphatic 60-12 triumph against the Cavaliers.
The match at Loftus on Friday kicks off at 7pm.
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Howard Mnisi, Anthony Volmink, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Lourens Erasmus, Martin Muller, Jacques van Rooyen, Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith. Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Corné Fourie, Victor Sekekete, Fabian Booysen, Dillon Smit, Jaco van der Walt, Jacques Nel - Independent Media