Burger Odendaal will take over the captaincy reigns in the injury-enforced absence of Jaco Kriel for the Lions when they take on Munster in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Lions will be without their inspirational leader and loose forward Kriel for the clash against Irish side Munster.

Kriel, who suffered an injury in the 51st minute last Sunday, is the only change to the starting XV named by head coach Ivan van Rooyen for tomorrow’s clash against the Irish outfit.

“It’s sad to lose Jaco to injury. He underwent surgery on his arm yesterday, so he’ll be sidelined for an extended period. We wish him a successful recovery,” said Van Rooyen.

In Kriel’s place comes young flank Sibusiso Sangweni, while inside centre Burger Odendaal will lead the Lions out in Johannesburg.

Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (c), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 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 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Nico Steyn /Ginter Smuts, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.

Photo: Gallo Images