Junior Boks powerhouse Batho Hlekani will make his Lions debut in Saturday’s must-win EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Lyon at Ellis Park.
Hlekani only arrived in Joburg from the Sharks last week, but coach Ivan van Rooyen has wasted little time in backing the 115kg flank, who is set to provide impact off the bench against a physical French outfit.
In other changes to the match 23 that beat the Sharks in Durban, Conrad van Vuuren starts at tighthead prop in place of Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who is sidelined with a hamstring niggle, with Sebastian Lombard on the bench.
The back row sees Renzo du Plessis get an opportunity alongside captain Francke Horn and Siba Qoma, as the hosts look to match Lyon’s physicality and intensity at the breakdown.
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Richard Kriel comes in on the right wing in the only change among the starting backs, while Junior Boks scrumhalf Haashim Pead and winger Rabz Maxwane are on a bench that also features fit-again centre Henco van Wyk.
Kick-off in Joburg is at 5:15pm, with both teams still searching for their first victory in the competition.
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Eddie Davids.
Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Rabz Maxwane.
Photo: Lions Rugby
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