'Bone Collector' back in Lions starting XV for Bulls derby at Loftus

Veteran Willem Alberts returns to the Lions starting team for Saturday's URC derby against the Bulls in Pretoria.

The Springbok was rested for last weekend's 35-24 win over Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park. The "Bone Collector" pairs up with Ruben Schoeman in the second row, with Ruan Venter moving from lock to flank as Jaco Kriel is sidelined with a knee injury.

Prop Ruan Dreyer, who received a red card last weekend for a dangerous cleanout, is suspended and his place on the bench is taken by Ruan Smith. Loose forward Jarod Cairns also takes Ruhan Straeuli's place on the bench.

The Lions backline is unchanged from last weekend, with Sanele Nohamba and Gianni Lombard continuing as halfbacks.

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15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manny Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith

Substitutes: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Rynhardt Rijnsburger, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Morne van de Berg, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Andries Coetzee

Speaking ahead of the Jukskei derby, Ricardo Loubscher, the Lions backline and attack coach, called for his side to take the opportunities that come their way.

"We had a look at those games and sometimes it comes down to execution. If you look back at the Sharks game, we were in the game creating the right opportunities, but it comes down to finishing those chances. There's been a big focus from us in the last week or two is to nail the opportunities during training and transfer that on game," said the former Springbok fullback.

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