Lions welcome back van der Merwe

Editor

Lions boss Johan Ackermann has made only one change to his matchday squad as Franco van der Merwe returns to play the Rebels.

Lions boss Johan Ackermann has made only one change to his matchday squad as Franco van der Merwe returns to play the Rebels at Ellis Park on Friday.

The switch comes in the second-row, where the Springbok lock is back in action, having fully recovered from his ankle injury.

Meanwhile, in the backline, Anthony Volmink will start at left wing, while Deon van Rensburg covers the right wing berth.

Lions: 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen/Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Lionel Mapoe

Date: Friday June 4
Venue: Ellis Park
Kick-off: 1910 local, 1810 BST
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Cobus Wessels (both SA)
TMO: Johan Greeff (SA)