Lions v Highlanders: Teams
Lions skipper Cobus Grobbelaar has been named in the starting line-up to face the Highlanders but faces a late fitness test.
Last Updated: 07/05/09 12:18pm
The Lions will have to do without skipper Cobus Grobbelaar when they face the Highlanders after he failed a fitness test on a troublesome ankle.
The injury kept him out of last week's home defeat to the Crusaders and his replacement Johan van Deventer will continue at number six.
Jaque Fourie would have led the side in Grobbelaar's absence but he too has been sidelined.
The injury-plagued centre has been ruled out with a hamstring strain and forces coach Eugene Eloff to reshuffle his backline.
Michael Killian comes into the starting XV on the left wing, allowing Deon van Rensburg to move into the number 13 jersey vacated by Fourie.
With Ernst Joubert also not in action, fly-half Andre Pretorius will captain the home team.
Changes
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has made three changes for Friday's clash in Johannesburg.
In the backs, Johnny Leota comes in for centre Daniel Bowden, who has been suspended for one-match, while Kendrick Lynn replaces a lacklustre Fetu'u Vainikolo on the left wing.
Meanwhile in the pack, Chris King will be given the chance to start in the front row, though he does not yet know who will be on the opposite side of the scrum.
Clint Newland had been the man set to miss out but could get a quick recall after Jamie Mackintosh fell ill with a virus.
The Highlanders have nothing to play for but pride in this year's competition following last week's 23-15 loss at the hands of the Sharks.
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Andre Pretorius (c), 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Robert Kruger, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Jannes Labuschagne, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 Gert Muller, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Dusty Noble.
Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Kendrick Lynn, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Chris King/Clint Newland, 2 David Hall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh/King
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Jayden Hayward, 22 Fetu'u Vainikolo/Lucky Mulipola
