Reynolds at 10 as Lions change four

Flyhalf Shaun Reynolds becomes the third different flyhalf for the Emirates Lions in as many weeks for their final Vodacom Super Rugby fixture against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

Reynolds flew over this past weekend to join up with the team after Gianni Lombard was injured and forced to return home and will start in the fixture at 10 as the Lions made four changes to the side for the game from their winning combination against the Chiefs last week.

Elton Jantjies will continue at 12 as he started against the Chiefs, and looked enterprising with a lot of potential and will get another chance to look to unlock defences against the defending champions.

Reynolds has been the back-up to Jantjies for some time, but Lombard’s appearance on the scene has seen the youngster backed more with the more seasoned Reynolds being forced to play second fiddle for some time.

But there are few better experiences for a 10 than to face the Crusaders in Christchurch and it is clear he has a chance to make an impact ahead of the rest of the season.

With Malcolm Marx being rested as per the agreement with the Springbok management, Robbie Coetzee starts for the game at hooker, with Jan-Henning Campher on the bench.

Nic Groom comes in at halfback in a straight swop for Ross Cronje while Ruan Combrinck moves into the fullback position for the game.

Tyrone Green, who flew over to cover for Courtnall Skosan, who returned home to be with his ill father, is on the bench as well.

Warren Whiteley will captain the side for the fixture, which kicks off at 9.35am on Friday (CAT, GMT+2).

EMIRATES LIONS TEAM:

Ruan Combrinck; Sylvian Mahuza, Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Shaun Reynolds, Nic Groom; Warren Whiteley (captain), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Stephan Lewies, Carlu Sadie, Robbie Coetzee, Sti Sithole. Reserves: Jan-Henning Campher, Nathan Mcbeth, Johannes Jonker, Wilhelm Vd Sluys, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronje, Franco Naude, Tyrone Green.