The inclusion of lock Marvin Orie is one of four changes to the Lions’ starting lineup for their match against the Rebels at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Orie has overcome the injury he sustained against the Stormers three weeks ago to start in the second row alongside Stephan Lewies. They replace Rhyno Herbst and Ruan Vermaak.
The other changes come in the backline, where former Junior Bok Tyrone Green will make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut, at fullback, at the expense of Andries Coetzee, while Ruan Combrinck comes in for Sylvian Mahuza on the right wing.
Coach Swys de Bruin has made six changes to the bench, with hooker Jan-Henning Campher, prop Sti Sithole, locks Herbst and Vermaak, centre Lionel Mapoe and Coetzee all coming in.
Lions – 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx (c), 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Rhyno Herbst, 20 Ruan Vermaak, 21 Gianni Lombard, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix