Bench roles for Bok duo as Lions tweak their starting line-up
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has tweaked his starting XV for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash against Connacht.
The Lions are in Galway after a hard-fought Challenge Cup win over the Dragons last weekend.
It is going to be their first match at The Sportground. The venue has not been a happy hunting ground for South African sides so far.
There are a few changes to the team that edged the Dragons.
In the backline, Quan Horn moves from the right wing to fullback with Springbok Andries Coetzee dropping down to the bench.
That switch means Stean Pienaar will wear the No.14 jersey on Saturday.
Springbok flank Jaco Kriel also moves to the bench as Sibusiso Sangweni takes over at flank.
Meanwhile, PJ Botha gets promoted from the bench and takes up the starting hooker role.
He replaces Michael van Vuuren, who also drops to the bench.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 André Warner, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Emile van Heerden, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha , 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Michael Van Vuuren, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Manual Rass, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Date: Saturday, January 28
Venue: The Sportsground, Galway
Kick-off 19.35 (19.35 GMT; 21.35 SA time)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Padraic Reidy (Ireland), Stuart Douglas (Ireland)
TMO: Brendan Pickerill (New Zealand)
