Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named his 23-man side to face the Cell C Sharks at Growthpoint Kings Park Stadium on Saturday evening.

In the forwards, Ackermann has opted largely for consistency, making just one change in the front row. Willie Wepener comes into the starting line-up in the hooker berth, as Robbie Coetzee shifts to the bench to provide cover.

Meanwhile, in the backline, Elton Jantjies will make his long-awaited return having fully recovered from his shoulder injury. As a result, a backline reshuffle sees Marnitz Boshoff shifted to fullback as Chrysander Botha starts at left wing and Ruan Combrinck moves across to right wing. Deon van Rensburg will start at outside centre.

On the bench, Corne Fourie has earned selection and will look to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut on Saturday.

Lions: 15 Marnitz Boshoff, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Chrysander Botha, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 MB Lusaseni, 20 Willie Britz, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 JW Jonker, 23 Coenie van Wyk.