Lions get some stars back for Crusaders

Lions coach John Mitchell has named his team to face the Crusaders on Saturday with Elton Jantjies and Lionel Mapoe returning to the team albeit on the bench.

Mitchell delayed naming his team due to injuries in the camp and the extenstion has meant that Mitchell has only been forced into making one change due to the injury to Doppies la Grange.

Alwyn Hollenbach has been passed fit and will run out at inside centre in place of La Grange.

The rest of the starting side is exactly that which lost so narrowly after controlling the match against the Stormers last weekend.

Although the injuries have forced Mitchell to persevere with what is not remotely his best selection, the spirit in the team, their determination and confidence after last weekend’s close loss make this a side not to be taken lightly – even against a Crusaders side including a number of World Cup winners.

There is also the good news that Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies and versatile back Lionel Mapoe have recovered from their injuries sufficiently to be included on the bench.

Lions

15 James Kamana, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Andries Coetzee, 10 Butch James, Tian Meyer, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (capt.), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, Marius Coetzer, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Lionel Mapoe