Whiteley back for Lions
Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has made just two changes to his starting side for the Currie Cup Round Eight clash with the Sharks at Ellis Park on Friday.
Star loose forward Warren Whiteley has recovered from his hip injury and will start at No.8.
Captain Derick Minnie moves from No.8 to the flank and Warwick Tecklenburg drops down to the bench.
In the only other change forwards, journeyman lock Chris van Zyl will get his second start at lock for the Lions this season, replacing Stephan Greeff as Springbok Franco van der Merwe's second row partner.
Van Zyl, brother of former Western Province and Lions stalwart Anton van Zyl, moved to Johannesburg in 2012, after playing Varsity Cup rugby in Stellenbosch.
The 27-year-old joined the Golden Lions senior side this year, making his first-class debut in the Vodacom Cup competition and then his Currie Cup debut came in the match against the Sharks in Durban last month. An injury in that game disrupted his season and he made his comeback off the bench last week.
Meanwhile, Willie Britz has recovered from his shoulder strain and will provide loose forward and lock cover off the bench. Grant Janke has also been drafted in on the wood.
Golden Lions: 15 Marnitz Boshoff, 14 Andries Coetzee, 13 Deon Helberg, 12 Dylan Des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Derick Minnie (captain), 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Willie Britz, 19 Warwick Tecklenburg, 20 Guy Cronje, 21 Grant Janke, 22 Ruhan Nel.
Date: Friday, September 27
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistant referees: Jaco Kotze, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Johan Greeff
