Francke Horn will captain a Lions team that features six players making their Vodacom URC debut in the season opener against Ulster in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Lion head coach Ivan van Rooyen named Horn as captain for the opening clash of the Vodacom URC campaign at Ellis Park.
The No 8 is joined in the back row by Springbok flank Ruan Venter, while Jarod Cairns completes the back row after a strong Currie Cup campaign.
There are six tournament debutants in the matchday-23 and two of those are in the starting backline.
Kade Wolhuter will make his first URC appearance, forming the halfback combination with Sanele Nohamba, who moves to scrumhalf.
Tapiwa Mafura also gets his first URC game for the Lions, alongside Rabz Maxwane and Bok fullback Quan Horn.
On the bench, hooker Franco Marais, loosehead prop Juan Schoeman, utility forward Siba Qoma and loose forward Renzo du Plessis will all make their URC debuts for the Lions.
There is also a return for Henco van Wyk from a knee injury, as one of two backline replacements.
Lock Reinhard Nothnagel will make his 50th appearance for the Lions.
Photo: Steve Haag/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix
