Lions Head Coach Johann Ackermann has anounced a side that includes a plethora of backline changes from that defeated by the Stormers to take on the Chiefs this weekend.

Elton Jantjies returns at the expense of the tounaments leading points scorer, Marnitz Boshoff, who drops to the bench and in the forwards Warren Whiteley returns to captain the side.

Lions Media release

Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named his 23-man team to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

In the forwards there has been just one change to the team which went down to the DHL Stormers a fortnight ago. Warren Whiteley has made a full recovery from injury and will start at eighthman. He will also captain the side.

Meanwhile, in the backline, Faf de Klerk has reclaimed his spot in the starting XV. Elton Jantjies will start at flyhalf and Deon van Rensburg will return in the wing position, having recovered from his minor injury.

On the bench, Armand van der Merwe looks set to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut should he get a run on Saturday. Jacques van Rooyen will also provide cover off the wood, having been called up from the Vodacom Cup squad. Due to De Klerk and Jantjies earning starting positions, Ross Cronje and Marnitz Boshoff are the other changes to the substitutions list.

The match will kick off at 09:35 SA Time.

Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 MB Lusaseni, 20 Willie Britz, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 JW Jonker.