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Johannesburg - The Auto and General Lions will welcome back gamebreaker Jano Vermaak to Vodacom Super 14 action against the Waratahs on Friday after the nippy scrumhalf was included in their match day 22 after arriving in Sydney less than 24 hours earlier.
Vermaak has just overcome a long term injury and will start off the bench as Coach Dick Muir returned to his more tried and trusted starting fifteen after rotating much of the squad last weekend.
Former All Black Carlos Spencer returns to the squad as one of six changes to the starting line-up that lost to the Brumbies in Canberra last week. Spencer missed the match with a pectoral muscle injury.
The Lions will be looking for their first win in this year’s competition against a Waratahs side which only scored their opening victory against the Sharks in dramatic fashion last weekend.
Spencer’s return sees Burton Francis move back to the bench while Earl Rose returns for Michael Killian at fullback.
With Dusty Noble back in South Africa after tearing his cruciate ligaments on his knee, Wandile Mjekevu moves up from the bench to the left wing, with new arrival Wigan Pekeur on the bench after making the trip with Vermaak.
Franco van der Merwe returns to the lock position while the front row of Hannes Franklin and Heinke van der Merwe also return after being on the bench last week.
George Earl drops out of the 22 with Jacques Lombaard keeping his place on the bench, while Robert Kruger also gets his first selection in the starting 22. Charles Emslie and JC Janse van Rensburg drop down to the bench for the game after starting last weekend.
Team: Earl Rose; Tonderai Chavhanga, Walter Venter, Doppies la Grange, Wandile Mjekevu; Carlos Spencer, JP Joubert; Todd Clever, Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar (c), Willem Stoltz, Franco van der Merwe, Kevin Buys, Hannes Franklin, Heinke van der Merwe.
Reserves: Charles Emslie, JC Janse van Rensburg, Jacques Lombaard, Robert Kruger, Jano Vermaak, Burton Francis, Wigan Pekeur.
