Cape Town - Lions coach Johan Ackermann has named his team for their clash against the Chiefs at Stadium Waikato on Saturday (kick-off 06:15 SA time):
Ackermann has made three changes to the starting line-up and as many on the bench for this Super Rugby encounter.
Harold Vorster will partner Lionel Mapoe in midfield, with Howard Mnisi moving down to the bench and among the forwards the old KES pairing of Malcolm Marx (hooker) and Dylan Smith (prop) get a start in the red and white jersey.
Akker van der Merwe will wear the No 16 jumper and next to him on the bench is Corne Fourie, while Fabian Booysen will make his Super Rugby debut should he get a run.
The red and white Lions jersey will sport the blue and white colours of the Els for Autism Foundation in its numbers on the back in support of golfer Ernie Els, international ambassador of the Lions.
Teams:
Chiefs
15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Latu Vaeno, 13. Seta Tamanivalu, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 11. James Lowe, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8. Maama Vaipulu, 7. Sam Cane (captain), 6. Tom Sanders, 5. Brodie Retallick, 4. Michael Allardice, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 2. Rhys Marshall, 1. Pauliasi Manu
Substitutes: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Mitchell Graham, 18. Siate Tokolahi, 19. Taleni Seu, 20. Michael Leitch, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Glen Fisiiahi
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Fabian Booysen, 21 Jaco van der Walt, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg