Johannesburg - Lions coach John Mitchell has made two changes to his starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom Super Rugby contest against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Mitchell announced his team on Thursday and, as expected, Rory Kockott will earn his first start in the absence of Jano Vermaak who took a knock to head in last week’s match against the Blues.

Vermaak will not feature on the team’s list of replacements which means former Leopards halfback Michael Bondesio stands to earn his first Super Rugby cap.

In the other change to the run-on side, New Zealand Sevens recruit James Kamana has been promoted following three impressive performances off the bench.

Jaco Taute drops to the bench where he is joined by Michael Rhodes who has been given the nod ahead of Dries van Schalkwyk as cover at lock.

Mitchell explained that the 19-year-old Taute needs to work on his decision making ability.

"James (Kamana) has the ability to breach the line with one-on-ones and, while Jaco has been playing good football, we are asking him to improve on his decision making ability,” said Mitchell.

Teams

Cheetahs:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Andries Strauss (captain), 11. Ryno Benjamin, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Philip van der Walt, 6. Heinrich Brussow, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4. Martin Muller, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen

Substitutes: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Kobus Calldo, 18. Kabamba Floors, 19. Francois Uys, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Fabian Juries

Lions:
15. James Kamana, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Doppies La Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Rory Kockott, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Josh Strauss, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe (capt), 4. Wikus van Heerden, 3. Patrick Cilliers, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg

Substitutes: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Kevin Buys, 18. Michael Rhodes, 19. Cobus Grobbelaar, 20. Michael Bondesio, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Jaco Taute