Forgotten Springbok Andre Pretorius will make his long-awaited return for the Lions on Friday.
Injury-hit Bok star making Super 14 comeback for Lions
Forgotten Springbok fly-half Andre Pretorius has been named in the Lions' matchday 22 and will make his long-awaited Super 14 comeback against the Cheetahs on Friday.
Pretorius' last game of rugby was in December 2007 against the Barbarians at Twickenham, and he has since been out with a foot injury.
Lions coach 'Loffie' Eloff has preferred to use a cautious approach with Pretorius and he will come off the bench, with Earl Rose starting in the number ten jersey.
The team is the exact same side that faced the Bulls in their only pre-season friendly, except for lock Gerhard Mostert starting in place of Jannes Labuschagne. Labuschagne underwent minor knee surgery and will be available next week against the Sharks.
Mostert has also undergone rehab for a shoulder injury, and he will play his first match since the early stages of last year's Currie Cup.
Promising tighthead Gert Muller will make his Super 14 debut, as will replacements Hans van Dyk, lock Rynard Landman, and American Todd Clever if they are used by Eloff.
Springbok Jaque Fourie's organisational skills on defence and attack have been rewarded as he has been named vice-captain, with Cobus Grobbelaar leading the team.
The only players not considered due to injury are Labuschagne, lock Dewald Senekal and flank Ernst Joubert.
Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Ashwin Willemse, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton Van Zyl, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Rynard Landman, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Andre Pretorius, 22 Jannie Boshoff.
