Lions boss Ivan van Rooyen has handed starts to tighthead prop Carlu Sadie and hooker Jan-Henning Campher for the first time this season for Friday’s round five Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Sadie comes into the starting team in place of veteran 2007 World Cup winner, Jannie du Plessis, who started in the Lions’ three previous games, while Campher gets a chance in place of Pieter Jansen.
There are also some changes at the back, with fit-again Andre Warner coming into the starting team, with rookie Morne van den Berg relegated to the bench, while Jamba Ulengo, who has also recovered from an early season niggle, plays on the wing in place of Courtnall Skosan.
Van Rooyen has again opted to go into a match with six forwards and only two backs on the bench, one of them being the exciting Wandisile Simelane.
“We know they’ve lost their first three games which will make them desperate,” said Van Rooyen, “so we’re expecting a big, physical onslaught from them. They’re a team full of quality players, and they’ll be up for it.
“We won’t be complacent; the conditions should be good, it’s nice and warm in Sydney and training has gone well. We’re excited about how we want to play, and excited to give some different guys a chance.”
Kickoff on Friday is 10.15am.
Lions team:
Andries Coetzee, Tyrone Green, Manny Rass, Dan Kriel, Jamba Ulengo, Elton Jantjies (capt), Andre Warner, Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Ruben Schoeman, Carlu Sadie, Jan-Henning Campher, Dylan Smith.
Replacements:
Pieter Jansen, Sti Sithole, Frans van Wyk, Willem Alberts, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Hacjivah Dayimani, Morne van den Berg, Wandisile Simelane