Cronje's return sharpens Lions’ claws for Sharks
Ross Cronjé will start at scrumhalf for the first time after sustaining a facial injury in the friendly in Polokwane against the Bulls while Rohan Janse van Rensburg starts at centre.
Cronje's return sees Francois de Klerk dropping down to the bench, while Janse van Rensburg is promoted to the starting 15 with Howard Mnisi providing cover.
“Both these inclusions are part of the rotational system that we have in place to manage to big squad of players in a very long Super Rugby competition,” said head coach Johan Ackermann.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylon Smith.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Francois de Klerk, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco van der Walt.
Date: Saturday, April 9
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nicholas Berry (Australia), Rodney Bonaparte (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)