Lions centre Lionel Mapoe will play in his 100th Super Rugby match against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday. Mapoe will return to his regular position at outside-centre for the clash after playing in the No.12 jumper in their defeat to the Sharks last weekend.
The man who wore his No.13 jersey last week, Aphiwe Dyantyi, has been shifted back to the wing by coach Swys de Bruin.
Joining Mapoe in the centres is rookie Franco Naude, who is on loan from the Bulls.
De Bruin has also somewhat surprisingly opted to play Nic Groom at scrumhalf ahead of the more seasoned Ross Cronje, while there are also several changes in the forwards.
Hacjivah Dayimani has been recalled and will start at No.8, while retreaded lock Stephan Lewies will pack down at blindside flank, with fit-again Cyle Brink at openside.
There is no place in the starting team for Marnus Schoeman or for Kwagga Smith.
Lions:
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Stephan Lewies, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Malcolm Marx ( captain), 1 Nathan McBeth. Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Gianni Lombard and 23 Sylvian Mahuza.