Lions v Reds: Teams

Veteran fly-half Andre Pretorius will make his first start of the season in one of two changes made by Lions coach John Mitchell.

Joshua Strauss is also included at flanker with Elton Jantjies and Derick Minnie making way, but the biggest shock is regarding the captaincy, with Franco van der Merwe stepping down from the role.

The second rower has been in charge since the start of the season and admits that the burden of leadership was having a negative effect on his personal form.

Centre Doppies la Grange has taken over as skipper.

The Lions have won just once in their opening six games, despite showing plenty of promise, and Van der Merwe said: "I've been battling with my form and I need to focus on my game right now.

"I will always put the team's best interests ahead of my own. Doppies has been playing some very good rugby and is a good leader."

Looking ahead to the game, coach Mitchell added: "The Reds will be coming to play, and in that sense they're no different to us.

"But they are a lot more accurate than us at the moment. The style of rugby we're playing is good, but we just need the skill to come with it, but that skill is coming."

Harris bow

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has made five changes to his starting line-up for the round seven clash in Johannesburg.

Digby Ioane shifted to outside centre as one of three changes to the backs, with Mike Harris selected at full-back to replace the injured Ben Lucas and Luke Morahan picked on the wing.

This will be off-season recruit Harris' first game in the starting XV for the Reds and comes after Lucas sustained a groin injury in the Reds' 41-8 victory over the Cheetahs.

In the pack, Greg Holmes has earned selection at loosehead while Adam Wallace-Harrison will start alongside captain James Horwill in the second row.

"We're searching for our best combinations and while happy with where we are at, we are always looking to get better," coach McKenzie said.

"We've got a talented squad and it's important to keep them all motivated and interested.

"With Ben Lucas injured Mike has earned his place at fullback. He has done everything asked of him and has struck up a good combination with Quade, along with being a very talented kicker."

Reds: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (capt), 4 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Ben Tapuai.

Lions: 15 M Killian; 14 L Mapoe, 13 W Murray, 12 D la Grange (capt), 11 D van Rensburg, 10 A Pretorius, 9 J Vermaak, 8 JCJ van Rensburg, 7 B Maku, 6 P Cilliers, 5 D Bulbring, 4 F van der Merwe, 3 C Grobbelaar, 2 J Strauss, 1 W Whiteley.

Replacements: 16 E Marutlulle, 17 J Adriaanse, 18 M Rhodes, 19 D Minnie, 20 R Kockott, 21 E Jantjies, 22 J Taute.