Lions v Chiefs: Teams

Lions coach Dick Muir retains the same back line for the visit of the Chiefs but has decided to re-jig the back-row following the Stormers loss.

American number eight Todd Clever is promoted from the bench to replace Jonothan Mokuena, while Derick Minnie gets a start at flanker.

Franco van der Merwe returns to his favoured position at lock with Jacues Lombard named amongst the replacements.

Veteran All Black Carlos Spencer continues at fly-half after making his debut in the 26-13 defeat to the Stormers.

"We're in a phase where we need to grow," said Muir. "Valuable lessons were learnt last week. We don't want to have the same first half or chat in the changing room we had at half-time.

"They've got superstars in their team. We're going to be testing ourselves against the best in the world."

Chiefs make six changes following last week's victory over Sharks, with interim captain Sione Lauaki back at number eight.

He replaces Colin Bourke at the back of the scrum, Luke Braid makes his Chiefs debut on the openside while Culum Retallick replaces the injured Kevin O'Neill at lock.

In the backs, Junior Poluleuligaga starts at scrum-half, Callum Bruce comes in at second five eight and Dwayne Sweeney slots onto the right wing.

Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Jackson Willison and Tim Nanai-Williams all drop to the bench.

"We've all enjoyed our second week in Durban and are now excited to fly up to Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon for our next match," said coach Ian Foster.

"It is good to have Sione, Callum and Dwayne back from injury and illness respectively. Their return is an opportunity to make some changes, as well as to freshen the squad up."

"Playing the Lions at Ellis Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Chiefs in the past. We know it will be a tough game but we go into this with a lot of confidence from the Sharks win."

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon Van Rensburg, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (capt), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC Kevin Janse van Rensburg Buys, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Jonathan Mokuena, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Michael Killian.

Chiefs: 15 Mike Delany, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Sione Lauaki (c), 7 Luke Braid, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.