Hendrikse returns to Lions starting line-up

The Emirates Lions promised all change ahead of their opening EPCR fixture against Perpignan on Sunday and in their team announcement they delivered, with a virtual new team taking on the French side.

Jaco Visagie will captain the team that sees Jordan Hendrikse return to flyhalf and Andries Coetzee return to the starting line-up.

While this is very much a second-string side, it gives a lot of the fringe players a chance to stake their claim, especially against a Perpignan side that has only won two games this season and is struggling in the French Top 14.

The Lions have left many of their first choice players back in Johannesburg and will be preparing for their fixture next week against Newcastle Falcons.

Springbok Sevens star JC Pretorius gets a run and there is a lot at stake for the two locks, especially after the news that Ruben Schoeman was suspended for three weeks after his red card against the Dragons.

Etienne Oosthuizen plays his first competitive match in almost three years after taking a break with a heart condition while speedy winger Boldwin Hansen gets a chance to impress.

Emirates Lions:  Andries Coetzee; Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Zander du Plessis, Boldwin Hansen; Jordan Hendrikse, Nico Steyn; Hanru Sirgel, Ruhan Straeuli, JC Pretorius, Raynard Roets, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Smith, Jaco Visagie (captain), Corne Fourie.

Replacements: Morne Brandon, Morgan Naude, Conraad van Vuuren, Izan Esterhuisen, Travis Gordon, Johan Mulder, Gianni Lombaard, Rhynardt Jonker/Sibusiso Sangweni