Jaco Kriel has been replaced by Sibusiso Sangweni as one of three changes to the Lions starting lineup for Friday’s match against Ulster in Belfast.

Following an agonising 13-9 defeat by Glasgow Warriors last week, coach Ivan van Rooyen has left his backline unchanged but opted for a few rotations up front.

Openside flank Sangweni and lock Reinhard Nothnagel will earn their first starts in the competition, having replaced Kriel and Pieter Janse van Vuren, who both drop out of the match 23.

In the front row, Carlu Sadie takes over from Jannie du Plessis at tighthead, with the latter also missing out on selection altogether.

Among the substitutes, there are welcome returns for prop Ruan Dreyer, lock Wilhelm van der Sluys, loose forward Emmanuel Tshituka and flyhalf Fred Zeilinga, all providing cover off the bench.

Lions – 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Burger Odendaal (c), 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 EW Viljoen, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Ruhan Straeuli, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

Photo: Matteo Ciambelli/INPHO/Shutterstock