Vermaak back for Lions

Lions coach Eugene Eloff has included scrum-half Jano Vermaak on the bench for Saturday's clash against the Stormers at Ellis Park.

Scrum-half included on the bench after recovering from illness

Lions coach Eugene Eloff has retained the team that started the match against the Chiefs but has included scrum-half Jano Vermaak on the bench for Saturday's against the Stormers at Ellis Park. Vermaak has recovered from the 'flu that forced him out of last week's match. Chris Jonck, who seized his chance to be in the run-on team, retains the number nine jersey. "Jano and Chris are special players," said Eloff. "I think it will be better to play Jano off the bench after the severe flu he had." The decision also gives Vermaak a rest. He has played a lot of rugby recently. Former Springbok loose forward Joe van Niekerk did not train on Tuesday. He took some big knocks last week, including one from the boot of Chiefs prop Ben May - who has been suspended for three weeks - and he is still bruised. Eloff said Van Niekerk would be ready for the match against the Stormers. Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Joe van Niekerk, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Dewald Senekal, 3 JC Janse van Rensburg, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Wilhelm Koch, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Jannie Boshoff, 22 Dusty Noble.