Lions boss wields heavy axe for Bulls clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their team to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen made 11 changes to his starting XV following their defeat to Griquas on Wednesday.

The Lions will field a new-look front row as Carlu Sadie, PJ Botha and Ruan Dreyer replace Jannie du Plessis, Jaco Visagie and Sti Sithole.

Roelof Smit and FP Pelser come in as the new second row.

The duo takes the place of Reinhardt Nothnagel and Ruben Schoeman in the starting line-up.

Vincent Tshituka and Roelof Smit will partner with captain Francke Horn as the loose trio for this week.

In the backline, Wandisile Simelane returns from Springboks camp and will don the No.15 jersey.

Simelance replaces EW Viljoen, who was handed a red card during Wednesday's defeat to Griquas.

Completing the back three are Courtnall Skosan and Rabz Maxwane.

In the middel centre Dan Kriel repalces former Bulls start Burgen Odendaal at centre.

While Andre Warner takes over the scrumhalf duties in the place of Morne van den Berg.

Lions: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Andre Warner; 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 FP Pelser, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Ruan Dreyer.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Stean Pienaar

Date: Sunday, July 25

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 15.15 (13.15 GMT)

Referee: Paul Mente

Assistant Referees: Local appointments

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen