Talismanic Springbok Ruan Venter returns to his familiar loose forward role as the Lions look to defeat Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
The third-placed Lions are aiming to secure a home quarter-final, and possible semi-final, by winning their last two matches on the road. They face Munster next weekend.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen has largely kept faith with the core group that has powered the side’s six-match winning run, making only minor adjustments to his match 23.
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Lock Etienne Oosthuizen returns after missing the clash against Connacht, which allows Venter to shift back to flank. Batho Hlekani drops down to the bench.
Centre Richard Kriel will make his 50th appearance for the Lions.
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LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Erich Cronjé, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Kelly Mpeku.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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