Odendaal returns to haunt Bulls

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions receive a major boost as Burger Odendaal returns to the starting XV for the Super Rugby Unlocked encounter against the Bulls.

The former Bulls captain will partner with the inform-centre Wandisile Simelane to face log leaders the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Odendaal's return is the only change to the starting line-up.

Nathan McBeth and Dan Kriel will warm the bench together with PJ Botha, Ruan Dreyer, Reinhard Nothnagel, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronjé and Tiaan Swanepoel.

Meanwhile, Jaco Kriel will be out for another week on compassionate grounds.

The match is must-win for the Gauteng side, who are currently fourth on the log with 9 points.

Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Morné van den Berg; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.

Date: Saturday, November 7

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referee: Cwengile Jadezweni, Egon Seconds

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen