Mnisi and Mapoe in midfield as Ackermann rotates again

and backs every other week during this year’s Super Rugby competition. It is a strategy that has worked for the Lions, as they have picked up seven wins so far.

For tomorrow’s match against the Cheetahs, Ackermann has again changed his two props, he’s left lock Franco Mostert out of his starting team for the first time this season, Warwick Tecklenburg is back at No 7 flank and at the back Howard Mnisi and Lionel Mapoe are the new centre pairing, while out wide Courtnall Skosan returns on the wing.

“For every game I sit down with the other coaches and we anticipate how the game is going to go ... and what the guys can offer from the bench,” he said.

“The players know when they’re going to be starting ... Howard and Lionel, for example, knew last week already they would start against the Cheetahs.

“Harold (Vorster) has been in great form for us, but we want him to make an impact from off the bench this week.

“There was a reason why we picked who we did for the Brumbies last week and there’s a reason why other guys will be starting against the Cheetahs.” Lions Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (capt), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Martin Muller, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee, Jacques van Rooyen. Armand van der Merwe, Schalk van der Merwe, Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Robert Kruger, Ross Cronje, Jaco van der Walt, Harold Vorster

JOHANNESBURG: Johan Ackermann’s policy of regularly rotating his players won’t find favour with everyone, but it’s something that’s worked for him and the Lions this season and he’ll again be banking on it to help his side get past the Cheetahs...