The Lions have three Springboks and a current former Junior Bok of their beginning workforce.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has caught largely with the identical group of gamers who’ve bought the workforce into the highest eight of the United Rugby Championship standings after 9 video games for the workforce’s Gauteng derby in opposition to the Bulls in Joburg on Saturday, with kick-off at 2.30pm.
Three Springboks, specifically Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn, are included within the workforce, whereas former SA Junior Boks star Batho Hlekani will put on the No 7 jersey.
Van Rooyen, whose workforce sit seventh within the standings, mentioned he was anticipating a special Bulls workforce to the one the Lions performed in opposition to, and beat, at Loftus in direction of the top of final yr.
After struggling a string of defeats, the Bulls have now gained two in a row. The Lions, although, too, have been in good type, with two wins and two attracts, from their final 4 video games.
Executing underneath stress
“Clearly, they’ll be hurting from the consequence at Loftus,” Van Rooyen mentioned in regards to the 43-33 loss the Bulls suffered final outing in opposition to the Lions.
“After all, we’ve bought plans, they’ve bought plans, however I feel the workforce that may execute underneath stress on Saturday and implement their strengths extra typically throughout the 80 minutes will emerge profitable.”
Lions flyhalf Chris Smith, after taking part in for the Bulls for a number of years, will probably be eager to make it a double over his former workforce, whereas wing Richard Kriel will achieve be up in opposition to his brother, David, ought to the latter get on from off the bench.
Van Rooyen has additionally opted for a six-two bench cut up between forwards and backs, with Haashim Pead and Erich Cronje the one backs on the bench.
Lions: Quan Horn, Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Richard Kriel, Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg, Francke Horn (capt), Batho Hlekani, Jarod Cairns, Reinhrdt Nothnagel, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze. Bench: Morne Brandon, RF Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, Renzo du Plessis, Haashim Pead, Erich Cronje
