Jansen van Vuuren has been side-lined since the Lions tour to United Kingdom late last year due to an injury.

The second-rower has been named in the starting XV for game at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The flanker, Ruhan Straeuli, also comes into the run-on team at the expense of the injured Vincent Tshituka.

Lions coach, Cash van Rooyen, said there excitement is mounting in their ahead of what is their first home game of the campaign.

“It’s great to be back for URC action especially on our home turf at Ellis Park. It’ll be our first URC fixture at home since the campaign started so we’re pretty excited about that.

“We are pleased to have Pieter back. He was great for us on tour before injury halted his momentum. He’s trained really well over the past few weeks, and he is eager to get stuck in again.”

“It’s unfortunate to lose Vincent due to an injury setback, but the opportunity now presents itself for Ruhan to come in and do the job for us in concert with Jaco Kriel and Francke Horn.”

Kick-off for this game it at 15:00.

At 17:05 it's over to the DHL Stadium in Cape Town where the Stormers will host the Bulls in another north-south derby.

Lions - 15 EW Viljoen, 14, Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruhan Straeuli, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements - 16 PJ Botha, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Matt More, 23, Tiaan Swanepoel.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Jeandré Labuschagne, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nché.

Replacements - 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Tito Bonilla, 23 Jeremy Ward.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport