Johannesburg - The Lions have named their side for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Johannesburg.
READ: Sharks bench Bosch, Du Preez for Lions trip
The big news for the hosts is the return of No 8 and captain Warren Whiteley, who has now fully recovered from the groin injury that kept him out for most of last season.
Springboks Andries Coetzee, Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Franco Mostert, Ruan Dreyer and Malcolm Marx are also included in the starting line-up.
Rohan Janse van Rensburg, meanwhile, has to be content with a place on the bench with coach Swys de Bruin backing Harold Vorster in the No 12 jersey.
Jacques van Rooyen, meanwhile, will earn his 50th cap for the franchise when he starts in the No 1 jersey.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:15.
Teams:
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 (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 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
Sharks
15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Juan Schoeman
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 John-Hubert Meyer, 18 Tendai Mtawarira, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Kobus van Wyk