Lions v Blues: Teams

The Lions will be hunting their first win of the campaign when they take on the Blues in Johannesburg on Friday.

John Mitchell's side have suffered the agony of two narrow defeats in the opening weeks of the season - losing out 24-20 to defending champions the Bulls and 19-16 to beaten finalists the Stormers.

Despite the defeats, the Lions have made giant strides compared to last season when they finished bottom of the pile.

And Mitchell is confident a first win is on the cards, saying: "What impressed me is that we worked together as a team for a longer period (against the Stormers).

"Eleven of the players only played in their second Super rugby match, and the matches for the past two weekends were against last year's champions and the other finalist.

Reward

"We're definitely on an upward spiral. The match was a big mental deposit for us. We're not far away.

"We have to keep working hard for each other and eventually we will get our reward as a group."

The Lions will welcome back former captain Wickus van Heerden for the clash with George Earl making way.

Blues coach Pat Lam has handed Luke McAlister the No.10 jersey for the trip to Johannesburg.

McAlister, who came off the bench for the 26-12 defeat to the Sharks, replaces the benched Stephen Brett.

Winger Sherwin Stowers will also make his first Super Rugby start with coach Pat Lam making six changes in total.

Kurtis Haiu, Tom McCartney, Luke Braid and Peter Saili all come into the pack - with Anthony Boric, Keven Mealamu and Daniel Braid dropping to the bench.

Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (c), 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patrick Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Dries van Schalkwyk, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino (c), 5 Ali Williams, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Rene Ranger.