The Lions will face international opposition for the first time this season when they tackle the Blues at Ellis Park.
The Blues will be desperate to return to Auckland with some points to show at the conclusion of their two-week tour, while the physical demands that the New Zealand sides present should give the Lions' coaching staff a better idea of just how well conditioned the group of fairly inexperienced players are.
Having struggled with their set pieces in recent times, the Blues are likely to rely on their enterprising backline players to pierce holes through what has been an impressive Lions defence. To add to the potency they have at the back, former league player Benji Marshall will make his first of the season and his promotion from the woodwork means that Charles Piutau finds himself on the wing.
The Lions have also tweaked their backline with Marnitz Boshoff shifting from fullback to flyhalf where he replaces Elton Jantjies. Boshoff's accuracy with the boot was the key factor in his team's surprisingly solid start to the season, but against the Blues his one-on-one defence is likely to be under the spotlight.
This contest should provide great viewing as both sides are known to play an expansive brand of rugby, although the Blues would have noted in their loss to the Bulls last week that high-paced play at altitude may not be the best strategy. It would therefore not be a surprise if a more pragmatic approach is deployed by the men in blue.
John Kirwan's charges will be more acclimatised to local conditions and would have targeted this match as one they simply cannot afford to lose, but if they are to avoid disappointment they will have to find a way of neutralising flanker Jaco Kriel. His work on the ground and general ball-handling skills has been a revelation for the Lions so far. He is a player who relishes the physical stuff, while his carries almost always gets his team over the advantage line and on the front foot.
With three more home games to follow this one, Kriel and his Lions team-mates will look to ensure that Ellis Park does not become the five-point pitstop it has been for Australasian sides in years gone by.
Lions – 15 Coenie van Wyk, 14 JW Jonker, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Willie Britz, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 MB Lusaseni, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Ruan Combrinck.
Blues – 15 Benji Marshall, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu , 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Brendon O'Connor, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Sam Prattley, 18, Angus Ta'avao, 19 Liaki Moli, 20 Jordan Manihera, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Jackson Willison.
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Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images
