Prop Ruan Dreyer will start in one of six changes to the Golden Lions lineup that will take on Western Province in Johannesburg on Friday.

Following their 31-17 loss to the Bulls last week, coach Johan Ackermann has overhauled his run-on XV with three swaps in the pack and three in the backline.

Dreyer returns after a lengthy injury lay-off to replace tighthead Jacques van Rooyen. Lock JP du Preez will make his Currie Cup debut by filling in for the injured Martin Muller in the second row, and No 8 Fabian Booysen comes in ahead of flank Cyle Brink, with Ruan Ackermann shifting to the side of the scrum to accommodate Booysen.

In the backline, flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff is dropped in favour of Jaco van der Walt, Jacques Nel preferred to Howard Mnisi in the midfield and wing Selon Gavor elevated to the starting XV after injury ruled Courtnall Skosan out for the rest of the season.

The Lions' lock stocks will also be boosted by the return of Andries Ferreira to the bench, following his stint on the sidelines.

Golden Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Selom Gavor, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ross Cronjé (c), 8 Fabian Booysen, 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lourens Erasmus, 4 JP du Preez, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Cyle Brink, 20 Ruaan Lerm/Stef de Wit, 21 Ashlon Davids, 22 Howard Mnisi.

Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images