Lions flank Derick Minnie has been ruled out for the rest of the season ahead of his side's clash with the Cheetahs at Ellis Park.
Minnie sustained the injury in training this week and has already undergone surgery. In his absence, Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made three changes to his side for the local derby on Saturday.
In the forwards, Armand van der Merwe rotates with Robbie Coetzee at hooker, while Ruan Dreyer comes in at tighthead prop, with Julian Redelinghuys dropping to the bench.
The only change among the backs sees Courtnall Skosan starting on the left wing in place of Mark Richards after recovering from injury.
The Lions will go in search of their fifth consecutive win against the Cheetahs, a feat never before achieved by the franchise.
Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Subs: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 20 Robert Kruger, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
