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Cape Town - Lions coach Johan Ackermann has named his team for Saturday’s Super Rugby quarter-final against the Crusaders in Johannesburg.
Skipper Warren Whiteley will start at No 8 after passing a late fitness test.
Whiteley was struggling with a shoulder injury but has recovered to take his place in the starting team.
The Lions’ position on the log is the highest it has ever been in Super Rugby. In 2001 they finished third (losing to the Sharks in the semi-finals) and in 2000 fourth (losing to the Brumbies in the semi-finals), while in 1997 they ended in fifth position.
Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park is scheduled for 16:30.
Teams:
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylon Smith
Substitutes: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques Van Rooyen, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco van der Walt/Sylvian Mahuza
Crusaders
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 David Havili, 11 Jone Macilai, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jimmy Tupou, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Kieron Fonotia
