Lions v W Force: Teams

The Lions have been struck by more injuries ahead of their Super 14 fixture with Western Force at Coca-Cola Park.

In addition to Todd Clever and Doppies la Grange, who have both undergone operations and missed last weekend's match against the Bulls, livewire lock Franco van der Merwe is ruled out for Saturday's match because of a lower back injury.

Van der Merwe is replaced by George Earl who will lock the scrum with Nico Luus.

In another change up front, Ross Geldenhuys takes over from Gert Muller at tighthead. Centre Marius Delport's hamstring is still troublesome and he will be replaced by Emerging Springbok Deon van Rensburg, while Tonderai Chavhanga returns on the wing in place of Wandile Mjekevu.

The young winger is not available for the duration of the Super 14 competition. Lions coach Dick Muir had requested Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu assist the youngster, who only turned 19 in January, with aspects such as his decision-making, defence and general skills at the Sevens training camp in Stellenbosch.

Mjekevu showed exceptional promise in his first big outing, but will not be considered for the national Sevens side's last two tournaments of the year because of his commitment to the national U20s in June.

Chavhanga's bench place will be taken by Bernardo Botha, who like Jaco Taute (bracketed with Wigan Pekeur) gets his first taste of Super 14 rugby off the bench.

Physical

Force welcome wing Scott Staniforth back into the starting line-up and Cameron Shepherd shifts to full-back as the New Zealanders look to continue their Super 14 winning ways in Johannesburg.

The Force have won three of their past four games - including a pulsating triumph over the Crusaders last week - and will be strengthened by the return of Staniforth, who missed three weeks with a calf injury.

In the only other changes to the side, prop Matt Dunning replaces Tim Fairbrother (ankle), lock Sam Wykes comes in for Ben McCalman and Shepherd's shift to fullback relegates Mark Bartholomeusz to the bench.

The last-placed Lions are still without a win but Shepherd said the Force would taking nothing for granted.

"We're really expecting the Lions to turn up and give us a tough hit out," Shepherd said.

"We're going to have to be really physical and really switched on if we want to win this game.

"When we turn up with the right attitude and application, like we did against the Crusaders, then you can see that we can match against any team in this competition.

"We want to continue to improve in that area and everyone is very keen to make a winning start to our tour here in South Africa."

Lions: 15 Carlos Spencer, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Nico Luus, 4 George Earl, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Charles Emslie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Jacques Lombard, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Jaco Taute/Wigan Pekeur, 22 Bernardo Botha.

Western Force: 15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 David Hill, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements:16 Nathan Charles, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Justin Turner, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Mark Bartholomeusz.