Lions make minor tweaks for Bulls clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named his team to face the Bulls at Loftus on Wednesday.

Fresh from a hard-fought 33-25 win over the Pumas just three days ago, Van Rooyen has made only three changes to the starting XV for the rearranged Round Five fixture in Pretoria on Wednesday.

There are two changes in the pack.

Springbok Jaco Kriel has been replaced by Marnus Schoeman.

Kriel's absence is part of the team's rotation policy.

The 31-year-old Schoeman, along with Len Massyn and Vincent Tshituka will form the loose trio partnership.

In the front row, veteran Jannie Du Plessis gets a start - replacing Wiehahn Herbst as tighthead prop.

While in the backline, former Bulls captain Burger Odendaal gets a shot at the centre, while Wandisile Simelane is moved to the bench.

Odendaal will partner with the former Stormers star Dan Kriel to face log leaders the Bulls.

Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 André Warner; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacmenets: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Wandisile Simelane, 23 Francke Horn.

Date: Wednesday, January 6

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, Morne Ferreira

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen