Lions back to full strength for Reds clash

A host of Boks have returned to the Lions’ starting lineup for this Saturday’s clash against the Reds at Ellis Park.

Coach Johan Ackermann opted against sending his strongest team to Argentina last weekend, but has brought back his big guns for this important encounter, including the likes of Malcolm Marx, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lionel Mapoe.

Besides announcing a raft of changes to the Lions’ starting lineup, Ackermann also confirmed that he has received an offer to go to work abroad, but reiterated that he didn’t want this to distract him or the players.

It’s believed that Gloucester have approached Ackermann about replacing Laurie Fisher as head coach, but that he may favour a director of rugby position.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Madosh Tambwe/Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Subs: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith/Corne Fourie, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Harold Vorster.

Photo: Anne Laing/HM Images