The return of captain Elton Jantjies is one of several changes to the Lions’ starting lineup for their match against Griquas at Ellis Park on Friday.
Jantjies made a full recovery after an injury scare last week when he sustained a grade-one calf injury during training.
Elsewhere, Gianni Lombard will play fullback while Stean Pienaar and Courtnall Skosan will wing it out wide.
In a surprise switch-up, Wandisile Simelane will join forces with Dan Kriel in the midfield.
Up front, MJ Pelser gets the nod as flank forward.
On the bench, PJ Botha, Ruan Dreyer, Jannie du Plessis, Reinhard Nothnagel, Jaco Kriel, Ross Cronje, Burger Odendaal, and Tiaan Swanepoel are all set to get a run for the first time in 258 days since the previous match on home soil.
Lions – 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
