Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has made six changes to the starting line-up that will take on the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday night.
In the forwards, Dominic Bird joins Samuel Whitelock in the XV after Luke Romano was ruled out of contention with a calf injury sustained early in the Hurricanes match.
Kieran Read is also unavailable for selection due to a head knock he received in the Hurricanes match, so Luke Whitelock will pull on the number eight jersey and George Whitelock comes in at number six.
Ryan Crotty will step up to the captaincy this week and also shifts to number 12.
Two backline players will get their first starts of the season – Kieron Fonotia at centre and Nemani Nadolo on the wing.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Nemani Nadolo, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty (Captain), 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Tom Taylor.
Date: Saturday 5 April
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-Off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, 03:05 Sunday NZ Time)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa