Despite delivering his best performance of the season last week, Lions pivot Elton Jantjies has been demoted to the bench for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Jantjies’s place in the starting line-up is filled by World Cup-winning flyhalf Butch James.
James made his debut for the Johannesburg squad last week when he came on as a substitute centre in the team’s 29-20 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.
More good news for the Lions is that regular captain Doppies la Grange has recovered from injury and will lead the side in the No 12 jersey.
La Grange’s return has forced coach John Mitchell to reshuffle his backline, with Alwyn Hollenbach moving from inside to outside centre in the place of Dylan des Fountain.
On the bench, Jacobie Adriaanse comes in for prop Kevin Buys, whose tour was cut short after picking up a knee injury in the clash against the Brumbies. Ross Geldenhuys was set to fly out on Tuesday night to join the team as back-up.
Lions team: Jaco Taute; Lionel Mapoe, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange (captain), Deon van Rensburg; Butch James, Jano Vermaak; Joshua Strauss, Michael Rhodes, Derick Minnie; Franco Van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden; Patric Cilliers, Bandise Maku, JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle, Jacobie Adriaanse, Warren Whiteley, Cobus Grobbelaar, Rory Kockott, Elton Jantjies, Dylan des Fountain. — Sapa