Warren Whiteley returns to lead Lions

The Lions have been boosted by the return to action of Warren Whiteley for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs in Johannesburg.  

Whiteley’s return is one of eight changes to the side which faced the Crusaders in Christchurch in Round 11. The 31-year-old was a late withdrawal with a knee injury from the Lions’ starting line-up ahead of that match.

The other alterations to the Lions’ pack sees Malcolm Marx replacing Robbie Coetzee at hooker while Vincent Tshituka takes over from Cyle Brink on the blindside flank.

In the backline, Andries Coetzee takes over from Ruan Combrinck at full-back while Courtnall Skosan comes in for Sylvian Mahuza on the right wing.

Harold Vorster returns at inside centre which means Elton Jantjies moves back to fly-half where he replaces Shaun Reynolds.

In the final change, Ross Cronje starts at scrum-half in place of Nic Groom.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Tyrone Green

Date: Saturday, May 11
Venue: Emirates Airlines Park
Kick-off: 15:05 local (14:05 BST, 13:05 GMT)
Referee: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)