Andries Coetzee will make his return as the Lions have switched up their backline for their Challenge Cup debut at home to Dragons in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Coetzee starting in the No 15 jersey is one of a handful of changes from the side that claimed a bonus-point win over Dragons in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship last weekend.

Zander du Plessis will form a new-look midfield with Sango Xamlashe, as Marius Louw has been rested.

The halfbacks have also been rotated, as Andre Warner and Gianni Lombard get a starting opportunity, while Sanele Nohamba and Jordan Hendrikse will play from the bench.

The starting pack remains unchanged, while there is just one further change on the bench as utility back Rynhardt Jonker has been called up.

Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Darrian Landsburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

Photo: Twitter: @Springboks