The Lions have leaned on experience and returning Springboks in their selection for Friday night’s Vodacom URC clash against the Ospreys in Swansea.
Sitting seventh on the URC table, the Lions know a victory in Wales would strengthen their playoff position, while the ninth-placed Ospreys could move above the visitors with a home win.
Up front, the Lions have named a powerful front row of SJ Kotze at loosehead, PJ Botha at hooker and Springbok tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye. The trio brings physicality and a set-piece focus as the visitors prepare for wet and windy conditions.
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The lock pairing sees Ruben Schoeman come into the starting side alongside Reinhard Nothnagel. Francke Horn captains the team from No 8, with Renzo du Plessis and Batho Hlekani completing a potent back row.
In the backline, Springbok Morne van den Berg regains the No 9 jersey with Chris Smith at 10, while Erich Cronje partners Henco van Wyk – who will earn his 50th cap – in the midfield.
Quan Horn returns at fullback, with Angelo Davids and Richard Kriel on the wings.
The Lions will be without Juan Schoeman, Morgan Naude, Layton Horn, Franco Marais, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius and Izan Esterhuizen through injury.
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Jarod Cairns, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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