Lions mentor John Mitchell has made a number of changes to his starting 15, as well on the reserve bench for the match against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Elton Jantjies and Jano Vermaak return as the starting halfbacks, while Jaco Taute (Fullback) and Alwyn Hollenbach (Inside Centre) join the starting line up in the backline.
Franco vd Merwe and Bandise Maku return to the starting pack, and Michael Rhodes gets a chance to start on the flank in place of Cobus Grobelaar who slips down to the bench.
With Doppies la Grange injured, Josh Strauss takes over the captain’s armband and shifts to the No 8 berth with Warren Whitely also relegated to the bench.
Also on the bench Jannie Boschoff gets a call up to the matchday 22.
The full team is:
15. Fullback; Jaco Taute: 14. Right Wing; Lionel Mapoe: 13. Outside Centre; Dylan des Fontain: 12. Inside Centre; Alwyn Hollenbach: 11. Left Wing; Deon van Rensburg: 10. Flyhalf; Elton Jantjies: 9. Scrumhalf: Jano Vermaak: 8. Number 8; Joshua Strauss (C): 7. Flanker; Michael Rhodes: 6. Flanker; Derrik Minnie: 5. Lock; Franco vd Merwe: 4. Lock; Wikus van Heerden: 3. Tighthead Prop; Patric Ciliers: 2. Hooker; Bandise Maku: 1. Loosehead Prop; JC Janse van Rensburg.
Reserves:
16. Edgar Marutlulle: 17. Kevin Buys: 18. Warren Whitely: 19. Cobus Grobbelaar: 20. Rory Kockott: 21. Burton Francis: 22. Jannie Boschoff.
Kick off is at 11h40 SA Time (19h40 Australian Time) and the game will be broadcast live on Supersport 1.
Could be a long evening for players and fans alike.
Hopefully the Brumbies are still knackered from a long flight, kids birthday party, late night boozing session, or any other reason.
Seriously though, I can’t see the Lions taking much in the way of points from this game, and the tour only gets harder from here.
Sincerely hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it.