Warren Whiteley, Malcolm Marx and Courtnall Skosan have been named in the Lions’ starting XV to front the Waratahs at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Whiteley pulled out of the Lions’ game against the Crusaders two weeks ago due to an injury, but has recovered sufficiently to return to the run-on side to lead this week.
Marx is also back at hooker after he was rested in round 11, while Skosan starts on the wing after he had to return home from the Lions’ tour for personal reasons.
There are four other changes. Andries Coetzee gets the nod at fullback, Harold Vorster is back at inside centre with Elton Jantjies shifting to flyhalf, while Ross Cronjé is preferred at scrumhalf this week.
Up front, Vincent Tshituka takes over at blindside flank from the injured Cyle Brink.
Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Tyrone Green.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix