Veteran journeyman Herkie Kruger will make his first appearance on the Super Rugby stage in more than two years when he starts at flyhalf for the Lions against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Kruger, who has been named at No.10 ahead of All Black great “King” Carlos Spencer, is one of six changes made by Lions mentor Dick Muir to his team as the bottom-placed outfit look to end a nine-match losing streak that stretches back to May last year.

Kruger, who has already played for the Sharks, Griquas and Cheetahs, and even had a spell at Calvisano in Italy, last featured in the Super 14 when he was a member of the Cheetahs squad in 2008, although his game time was limited.

With the 31-year-old Kruger starting, the 35-year-old Spencer – who has not been on top of his game in recent weeks – drops down to the replacement bench in one of three backline changes.

The others have former Bulls utility back Marius Delport starting at outside centre in place of the injured Walter Venter and the return of Springbok Tonderai Chavhanga on the right wing in place of Wigan Pekeur.

In the pack loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg starts ahead of Springbok for Heinke van der Merwe, who will come off the bench.

Another veteran journeyman who will make his first Super 14 start of the season is 28-year-old hooker Hans van Dyk.

Derick Minnie makes way for Todd Clever at No 8.

Replacement scrumhalf Chris Jonck joins Delport and Kruger in the matchday squad after missing out on the team’s disastrous Australasian tour.

Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Deon van Rensburg, 22 Carlos Spencer.

Date: Saturday, April 17
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)