Lions keep their winning combination

Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann stuck with continuity in his selection for his team's Currie Cup match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.


Ackermann on Wednesday made no changes to the starting line-up that beat the Blue Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.


He has been forced to make two changes to his bench.


Ruan Dryer replaced the injured Springbok prop CJ van der Linde.


Etienne Oosthuizen could also make an appearance off the bench. He has been included in the spot vacated by injured Jaco Kriel.


Michael Rhodes, who was providing loose forward cover last week, will fill a utility role this week - covering the lock position that Kriel filled.


Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Willie Britz, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).

Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco Taute.


Date: Saturday, September 15

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Sindile Mayende

Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Stefan Breytenbach

TMO: Gerrie Coetzee