Bok 'Bone Collector' on Lions bench for Stormers derby

Cape Town - The Lions have named their side for Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Stormers at Ellis Park on Saturday. 

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Prop Dylan Smith will earn his 50th cap while the only change to the starting line-up sees former Junior Springbok Manuel Rass start at No 13 in place of Duncan Matthews. 

The big news, though, is that Springbok bruiser Willem Alberts has been named on the bench. 

Alberts, who has arrived from Stade Francais in France, was not expected to feature as he continues his recovery from a bicep injury. 

But he was deemed fit enough to be included among the substitutes named by coach Ivan van Rooyen on Thursday.

Smith, meanwhile, was delighted to have reached 50 caps. 

"This milestone represents a lot of hard work for me. I have come through a few injuries and set-backs over the years and I am just grateful to have got to 50 caps for the Lions," Smith said ahead of this game.

Elton Jantjies continues as captain while there is still no place in the squad for Springbok scrumhalf Ross Cronje, who continues his comeback from injury by being included in a Lions XV that will take on a Bulls XV as the curtain raiser before the Super Rugby match.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 15:05.

Teams:

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Dylan Smith

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Dillon Smit, 23 Wandisile Simelane

Stormers

15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Godlen Masimla, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Johan du Toit, 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Ernst van Rhyn, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis

- Compiled by Lloyd Burnard