Lions sharpen claws for Leinster

19/04/2024 11:16

Captain Marius Louw and playmaker Sanele Nohamba are among the senior players returning to action for the Lions against eight-time champions Leinster in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Last in action in the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 in Italy, the Lions have turned their attention back to the Vodacom URC and securing a place in the top eight for the first time.

Ivan van Rooyen has made nine changes to the side that faced Bennetton, with Louw back to captain the team, while Nohamba takes back the No 10 jersey from Jordan Hendrikse, who is on the bench.

There are four changes to the pack, as PJ Botha and veteran Ruan Dreyer return to the front row, young Ruan Delport is paired with Willem Alberts in the second row, and Francke Horn makes his 50th appearance at No 8.

A fresh set of outside backs sees Edwill van der Merwe and Richard Kriel either side of fullback Quan Horn.

The Lions have received an extra boost on the bench, as Asenathi Ntlabakanye is back from his suspension and centre Henco van Wyk returns from injury.

Lions — 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw (c), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Jacobs, 1 Morgan Naude.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Henco van Wyk.

Photo: Twitter: @Springboks

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