Lions change three for clash with Crusaders

Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has made three changes to his 23 man Super Rugby squad to play against the Crusaders at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Ackermann has made just one forced change in the forwards and two changes in the backline for the encounter.

In the forwards, Martin Muller comes in at lock for the injured Franco van der Merwe.

Meanwhile, in the backline, Andries Coetzee will start at fullback with Lionel Mapoe coming into the starting XV at outside centre and as a result, Deon van Rensburg shifts to wing.

On the replacements bench, Malcolm Marx is primed to make his Super Rugby debut while Warwick Tecklenburg and Elton Jantjies are also two new inclusions for Saturday’s clash.

Lions

15. Andries Coetzee , 14. Deon van Rensburg , 13. Lionel Mapoe , 12. Stefan Watermeyer , 11. Courtnall Skosan , 10. Marnitz Boshoff , 9. Faf de Klerk , 8. Warren Whiteley (c) , 7. Willie Britz , 6. Jaco Kriel , 5. Martin Muller , 4. Franco Mostert , 3. Julian Redelinghuys , 2. Willie Wepener , 1. Schalk van der Merwe

Replacements : 16. Malcolm Marx , 17. Corne Fourie , 18. Ruan Dreyer , 19. MB Lusaseni , 20. Warwick Tecklenburg , 21. Ross Cronje , 22. Elton Jantjies , 23. JW Jonker