Ackermann makes three changes for Lions


Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made three changes to his side for Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Up front, Lourens Erasmus comes in at lock, replacing Andries Ferreira, while Cyle Brink takes the number seven jersey from Ruan Ackermann. In the backline, Ross Cronje is back at scrum-half, replacing Faf de Klerk.

Warren Whiteley will captain the Lions for the 50th time in Super Rugby when he leads his side on the field.

Whiteley, who returns to his former hunting ground having represented the Kings five times, will be playing his 71st game for the Lions. He is the most experienced Lions captain during the last ten years with Baywatch Grobbelaar on 28 and Josh Strauss 17.

Jaco van der Walt has a dislocated foot. It was reduced on Wednesday in theatre and he will be out for about eight weeks.

Lionel Mapoe has a spiral/hairline fracture and is seeing a hand specialist on Friday.

Johannes Jonker was diagnosed with concussion against the Reds and is re-evaluated daily.

Dylan Smith will undergo a shoulder operation and will be out for four months.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Sti Sitole, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Sylvian Mahuza

Date: Saturday, May 6
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 15:00 local (05:00 GMT)
Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Ed Martin (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)

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