Lions blood Maqwelana

The Lions have brought in prop Eugene Maqwelana for Friday's Super 14 clash against the Highlanders at the "House of Pain" in Dunedin.

Former SA Under-21s prop replaces Geldenhuys

The Lions have brought in prop Eugene Maqwelana for Friday's Super 14 clash against the Highlanders at the "House of Pain" in Dunedin. The former South African Under-21 star comes into the side in the place of regular tighthead prop Ross Geldenhuys, who drops down to the bench. The only other change to the starting line-up sees Willem Alberts coming in at No.8, while Joe van Niekerk will switch to the number seven jersey in place of injured flank and skipper Ernst Joubert. Lock Dewald Senekal replaces Alberts on the bench. This is the one game the Lions will be eyeing for a win as another four away matches lie in wait after this - including play-off contenders the Crusaders and Hurricanes - while the Highlanders seem vulnerable after suffering their biggest loss of the season to the Chiefs last week. Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Joe van Niekerk, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Eugene Maqwelana, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Dewald Senekal, 19 Franco van der Merwe, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Rudi Vogt, 22 Jannie Boshoff.