EW Viljoen covers the flyhalf position as a result of injuries to both Jordan Hendrikse and Eddie Fouche.

Also at the back, Stean Pienaar, Divan Rossouw and centre, Manuel Rass picks up their first starts of the tour.

"Injuries are a reality of the game,” said Van Rooyen.

"Losing both Jordan and Eddie is obviously a massive blow for us, meaning we had to make a few adjustments as we prepare for Saturday.

"With the Covid-19 regulations it's been quite a challenge, however we are doing our best to cope with the situation. Hopefully now with the relaxation of the travel ban to the UK, in consultation with URC, we can get a replacement to join the squad as soon as possible."

Van Rooyen went on to add that this would be an ideal opportunity for other members of the squad to take their chance.

"It also provides a few guys in the squad with an opportunity to showcase their talent against quality opposition in the URC," he concluded.

Upfront, Jannie du Plessis and Sti Sithole start at tighthead and loosehead respectively, with Ruhan Straeuli packing down at the back of the scrum.

Lions - 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 EW Viljoen, 9 André Warner, 8 Ruhan Straeuli, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements - 16 PJ Botha, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Matt More, 23 Wandisile Simelane.