The Emirates Lions face up to Cardiff Rugby on Friday night for Round 13 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (9.35pm kick-off) and head coach Ivan van Rooyen’s squad is boosted by the return of Springboks Ruan Venter and Quan Horn, both who feature in the starting XV ahead of their match under lights at Cardiff Arms Park.
Also back in the frame is explosive centre Henco van Wyk who will undoubtedly provide impact from the bench.
The Lions mentor has also opted for JC Pretorius in the No 6 jumper, who missed his teams’ previous fixture due to a niggle picked up in training.
Junior Springbok Nico Steyn starts in the halfback position in place of Springbok Morne van Berg who misses out due to a finger injury suffered a fortnight ago against the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
Speaking from Cardiff earlier this week, Lions assistant coach Barend Pieterse said the fight for a play-off spot is intensifying with 15 teams in the race with six rounds remaining.
“We really want to start this tour well, he said.
“The aim is to get as many points as possible. As it stands the log is very close. Everything is in our hands at the moment.”
Pieterse was also pleased to have the injured players back in the mix and commended the efforts of the squad members who stepped up during their absence.
“The return of those players (Henco, Quan and Ruan) gives the squad confidence. All of them have been good for us during the season but in saying that, the players who filled in for them while they were injured did very well. It says a lot about our depth and how lucky we are to have that.”
Scrumhalf Layton Horn will be in line for his international club debut if given the opportunity. The bench also boasts the likes of Siba Qoma and Jarod Cairns - both who impressed against the Sharks in Durban two weeks ago.
Emirates Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe; 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Jarod Cairns, 23 Henco van Wyk.
FRIDAY
Cardiff Rugby v Emirates Lions
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA/9.35pm SA
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 14th league game)
AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Aaron Parry (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Live on: BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
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