Ackermann 'rotates' his pride again

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has again made changes to his team, ahead of the opening match of their four-game Australasia.

Ackermann made two changes - one enforced - in key positions, for the encounter with the Blues at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Saturday.

In the forwards Corne Fourie will make his first start at loosehead this season, replacing stalwart Schalk van der Merwe - who has been sidelined with a stomach virus after he featured in the loss to the Stormers last week.

In the backline Ross Cronje will start at scrumhalf in place of Francois de Klerk.

Jacques van Rooyen comes onto the bench in the spot vacated by Fourie's promotion.

De Klerk drops down to the replacements.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Corne Fourie.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Howard Mnisi.

Date: Saturday, March 7

Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Albany

Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT; 08.35 South Africa time)

Referee: Matt O'Brien (Australia)

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

TMO: Glen Newman (New Zealand)