Lions forced into late changes

TEAM CHANGE: Due to pre-cautionary medical protocols, the Lions team to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Wednesday will be captained by Burger Odendaal.

Other forced changes see Emmanuel Tshituka and Fred Zeilinga move into the starting line-up.

Tshituka starts on the blindside flank, and Ruhan Straeuli moves to No.8 in place of captain Francke Horn - who has been ruled out.

Zeilinga, a regular at flyhalf, start at fullback - with Duncan Matthews ruled out.

On the bench Lunga Ncube (lock), Travis Gordon and Mark Snyman (flanks) are called to action.

Veteran Springbok Jaco Kriel, who would have made3 his long-awaited comeback from injury on the bench, has also been ruled out.

Lions - revised: 15 Fred Zeilinga, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Ruhan Straeuli, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, Sithembiso Sithole.

Replacements: 16 Pieter Botha, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Lunga Ncube, 20 Travis Gordon, 21 Mark Snyman, 22 Ross Cronje, 23 Henco van Wyk.

Date: Wednesday, August 11

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant referees: Local

TMO: Ben Crouse