The Joburg-based side are down in 14th place on the URC points table and desperate to pick up a win to stay in the hunt for a top eight spot.
Kade Wolhuter is back in the Lions’ starting team for their crucial United Rugby Championship home match against Benetton at Ellis Park on Saturday, with kick-off at 1.45pm.
Wolhuter, who previously played for the Stormers and in recent times performed well for the Lions before injury set him back, replaces Gianni Lombard at No 10 for the match.
The Lions are currently in 14th position on the points table and desperate to pick up a win to stay in the hunt for a top eight place to feature in the quarterfinals. There are just four regular season rounds of matches to come.
Benetton, from Italy, are seventh in the standings.
Team changes
There are further changes to the Lions team. Tapiwa Mafura comes in on the wing in place of the injured Richard Kriel, while on the bench rookie Renzo du Plessis is set to get a run, while Kelly Mpeku and Nico Steyn also provide cover.
Unfortunately for the Lions, Manny Rass, Henco van Wyk, Etienne Oosthuizen, Reinhard Nothnagel and Rabz Maxwane are among a group of players on the injured list.
Lions flanker Ruan Venter said two attack-minded teams would be in action this Saturday.
“We know they like to run the ball,” said the one-cap Springbok. “They are going to be giving us opportunities that suit our style of play. We are expecting a lot of ball in play and a high-tempo match.
“That style will help them, but it will also suit us at Ellis Park. We are really excited for it.”
Lions team: Quan Horn, Tapiwa Mafura, Ryhnhardt Jonker, Marius Louw, Edwill van der Merwe, Kade Wolhuter, Morne van den Berg, Francke Horn (capt), Ruan Venter, JC Pretorius, Darrien Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, Juan Schoeman. Bench: Jaco Visagie, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Sibabalo Qoma, Nico Steyn, Renzo du Plessis, Kelly Mpeku
