Lions vs Stormers: Teams

Former All Black Carlos Spencer will make his debut for the Lions in their clash against the Stormers on Saturday.

At Coca Cola Park, Saturday February 13, kick-off 3.05pm

Former All Black Carlos Spencer will make his debut for the Lions in their clash against the Stormers on Saturday. Spencer, who last played Super Rugby for the Blues before starring for Northampton and Gloucester, will partner fellow newcomer JP Joubert at half-back. Director of coaching Dick Muir has handed teenager Wandile Mjekevu a surprise call-up on the wing, with former Springbok Tonderai Chavhanga set to start on the opposite flank. There will also be first appearances for appearances inspirational Griquas skipper Jonothan Mokuena, Jacques Lombard and Hannes Franklin. Muir has overlooked a trio of former internationals, with Lawrence Sephaka, Jannes Labuschangne and Henno Mentz all missing. Springbok fly-half Peter Grant has been handed the No.10 jersey opposite Spencer, while fellow internationals Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana will make their debuts. After an impressive pre-season, Gio Aplon starts on the wing while Dewaldt Duvenage gets the nod ahead of Ricky Januarie. In the pack skipper Schalk Burger has passed a fitness test, while Francois Louw has also shaken off an injury to start. 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 Jonothan Mokuena, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Jacque Lombard, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC van Rensburg, 18 Todd Clever, 19 Jacques Coetzee, 20 Derrick Minnie, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Michael Kilian. Stormers15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan De Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (C), 5 Andries Bekker , 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements:16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 Anton Van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.