Ackermann replaces Whiteley at No.8
Ackermann, who is the son of head coach Johan Ackermann, starts in place of regular captain Warren Whiteley who injured his right AC joint (shoulder) while playing for the Springboks against Irelend last weekend.
Whiteley is out for six weeks after an MRI scan on Monday confirmed a grade three injury.
In the backline, Andries Coetzee makes his first return to action after a fairly long lay-off due to injury. He will start at fullback.
Meanwhile, all of the Lions' new Springboks will start against the Sharks.
Ruan Combrinck, Jaco Kriel, Francois de Klerk and Franco Mostert all made their debuts for the Springboks in the three-Test series against the Irish in June.
In total there are seven Springboks in the Lions starting XV.
Kriel will lead the Lions in Whiteley's absence.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Sylvian Mahuza.
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Pro Legoete
TMO: Johan Greeff