Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named Springbok Willem Alberts at lock for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Bulls.
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Alberts comes in for the injured Pieter Jansen van Vuren who suffered a pectoral muscle injury during training this week.
In other changes, Emmanuel Tshituka will don the No 7 jersey in place of Ruhan Straeuli, who moves to the bench, and joins the likes of Morne Brandon, Sibusiso Sangweni and Tiaan Swanepoel.
"I feel for Pieter. He worked so hard to come back from his knee injury he suffered on tour. We wish him a speedy recovery from this latest setback. The opportunity now awaits Ruan who’s had a fantastic past few months, including a SA Rugby U20 Cup winner’s medal. He could possibly get his chance on Saturday," said van Rooyen.
"Providing opportunities to young players is a common theme for us here at the franchise and it’s something we pride ourselves in. In the same breath, the entire squad buys into what we are trying to achieve in the VURC , so everyone plays a key part towards that goal."
Kick off at Ellis Park is at 15:00.
Lions
15 EW Viljoen, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (c), 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Willem Alberts, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole.
Substitues: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Bulls
TBA
