Lions loose forward Ruhan Straeuli forced to hang up boots at 26 after neck injury
Lions loose forward Ruhan Straeuli has been forced into early retirement at the age of 26 due to a serious neck injury that required surgical intervention in March.
Springbok forward returns to bolster Lions for Scarlets clash
Venter, who won his sole Springbok cap last season, will feature in the second row rather than his usual position on the blindside flank.
In the backline, exciting young scrumhalf Nico Steyn steps in to replace the injured Morne van den Berg, with rookie Layton Horn named as his backup.
With Francke Horn unavailable, experienced hooker Jaco Visagie will once again captain the team from the front row.
Van Rooyen has kept faith with the midfield duo of Bronson Mills and Henco van Wyk, while Kade Wolhuter retains the number 10 jersey.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
URC: Jaco Visagie to lead Lions out to face Connacht
Saturday's Round 16 of the United Rugby Championship clash sees the Lions up against Irish outfit Connacht at Emirates Airline Park.
Lions captain Francke Horn ruled out for remainder of URC season with injury
Lions captain Francke Horn will miss the rest of the United Rugby Championship season due to injury, in a significant blow not only to his club's campaign but also to his hopes of earning a Springbok call-up ahead of a pivotal international season.
Lions crash out of URC playoff race after defeat to Benetton
The Lions' hopes of a late-season surge were dashed on Saturday afternoon as they slumped to a 42-31 defeat against Benetton at Ellis Park, officially ending their playoff aspirations in the United Rugby Championship.