The Lions' influential No.8 and captain Warren Whiteley has failed to recover from a calf problem and will miss the Super Rugby semi-final against the Highlanders at Ellis Park.
Whiteley picked up the injury in the 42-25 quarter-final win over the Crusaders last weekend and his loss is a blow for coach Johann Ackermann both in terms of his work with the ball and his leadership qualities.
The captain's armband moves to flanker Jaco Kriel on Saturday with the coach's son, Ruan Ackermann, taking over at the back of the scrum.
That is the only change to the starting line-up announced on Thursday from the side that thumped the Crusaders, though loose-forward Steph de Witt and scrumhalf Dillon Smit come onto the bench.
The Lions are seeking a first ever final appearance in Super Rugby, having topped the combined African conference this season.
They have never lost to the defending champion Highlanders at Ellis Park in four previous matches, their last clash at the venue a 28-23 victory in 2015.
The teams have met in New Zealand already this season with the Highlanders winning 34-15 in March.
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Ruan Ackermann, Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel (capt), Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith.
Reserves: Armand van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Lourens Erasmus, Steph de Witt, Dillon Smit, Howard Mnisi, Jaco van der Walt.
Reuters
