New loosies as Lions hunt Sharks double

Injuries up front have forced Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen to make two changes for the return match against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.

The Lions moved within one point of the top eight teams with a 38-14 bonus-point win against the Sharks at Ellis Park in the last round, and expect to face a stern challenge in Durban on Saturday.

Flank duo Ruan Venter and JC Pretorius have joined a long list of unavailable players including fullback Quan Horn, centre Henco van Wyk and winger Rabz Maxwane.

The tight five is unchanged, while Siba Qoma and Jarod Cairns come join captain Francke Horn in the back row.

In the backline, Morne van den Berg combines with Gianni Lombard, the halfback make their fourth consecutive start.

Fullback Tapiwa Mafura links with Springbok speedster Edwill van der Merwe and Richard Kriel in an unchanged back three. Marius Louw and Manuel Rass man the midfield.

LIONS – 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman
Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Izan Esterhuizen, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 WJ Steenkamp, 23 Rynhardt Jonker

Photo: Gallo Images