Lions starting XV unchanged for Blues

Johannesburg - Lions coach Swys de Bruin has named his side for Saturday’s Super Rugby encounter against the Blues at Ellis Park (kick-off 17:15).

De Bruin named an unchanged starting XV from the one that ran out in last weekend’s 49-35 win over the Bulls in Pretoria.

There are however three changes to the bench, with loose forwards Kwagga Smith and Hacjivah Dayimani coming back into the fray and utility back Ashlon Davids also included.

Smith had missed last weekend's match due to compassionate leave.

De Bruin has therefore opted for only two backline reserves, with back-up scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuren falling out of the match-day 23.

Teams:

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Substitutes: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Ashlon Davids, 23 Harold Vorster

Blues

TBA