Johannesburg – The Lions have made three changes to their team to face the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby match at Ellis Park, in Johannesburg.
Coach Johan Ackermann has had to make alternative plans after first choice flank Derick Minnie was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury – picked up at training this week – which required surgery.
MB Lusaseni will provide cover at flank on the bench.
In the changes to the starting XV, Armand van der Merwe will start at hooker while Ruan Dreyer has been drafted in at tighthead prop.
The backline sees just one change with Courtnall Skosan starting at left wing having recovered from injury.
The Lions had a bye last week, but will be looking to keep up the pressure on the Bulls and Stormers ahead of the Johannesburg outfit on the SA conference.
The Lions have 21 points from their nine outings this season, for third on the SA conference and eighth position on the overall log.
Lions team: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Harold Vorster, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Warren Whiteley (capt), 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Armand van der Merwe, 1. Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: 16. Robbie Coetzee, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Julian Redelinghuys, 19. MB Lusaseni, 20. Robert Kruger, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Marnitz Boshoff, 23. Howard Mnisi. – ANA