'Bone Collector' drafted straight into Lions starting XV to face Ulster

Springbok Willem Alberts is fit again and will start at lock for the Lions in Saturday's URC clash against Irish side Ulster in Johannesburg.

The 38-year-old, nicknamed the "Bone Collector", had been sidelined since picking up a calf injury in pre-season. He is drafted straight into the starting XV, with Pieter Jansen van Vuren dropping to the bench.

The Bone Collector returns for the Emirates Lions to take on Ulster at Emirates Airline Park.?? @UlsterRugby ??: @URCOfficial_RSA ???: Saturday, 15 October? :14:00???: Emirates Airline Park??? : https://t.co/g8yBee2jTF#LionsPride@vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/4Eht9jg5p8

Elsewhere, Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen made a few tweaks to the team that beat Edinburgh 22-19 away last weekend.

In the front row, JP Smith starts at loosehead prop in place of Sti Sithole and Jaco Visagie comes in at hooker for PJ Botha. Botha and Sithole will warm the bench.

In the loose trio, Emmanuel Tshituka also takes the No 6 jersey from Sibusiso Sangweni, who also drops to the bench.

There is one change in the backline, with Edwill van der Merwe, who missed the Edinburg game due to concussion protocols, replacing Stean Pienaar. 

The Lions are confident after winning all three of their tour games and sit sixth on the URC standings.

Saturday's clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 14:00.

Lions team:

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 JP Smith

Substitutes: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Morne van dern Berg, 22 Jordan Hendrikse,