Warren Whiteley will lead the Lions against the Sharks in Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park.
Whiteley made a successful comeback from a long-term injury while playing in Japan, and now returns to his familiar berth at No 8 in a loose trio that includes Cyle Brink and Kwagga Smith.
The Lions have a settled tight five, while in the backline it’s interesting to see Harold Vorster start ahead of Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Aphiwe Dyantyi and Sylvian Mahuza slot on to the wings.
Notably, the Lions will head into this clash without any recognised back-up No 9. Fullback Andries Coetzee will provide scrumhalf cover.
Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Photo: Anne Laing
