Bok flyer back in Lions team for Currie Cup
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe is back in the Lions team that will travel to Nelspruit this week to face the Pumas in the Currie Cup on Friday evening.
Edwill van der Merwe, who scored his first Springbok try against Wales in June, has been sent back by the Springboks to get game-time ahead of next week’s closing match of the mid-year series against Portugal in Bloemfontein.
Morne van den Berg, still uncapped, will retain his No. 9 jersey for the clash in Nelspruit.
The starting line-up sees three changes to the side who claimed victory over the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
Junior Springbok Sam Francis makes his senior professional debut at flyhalf in place of Kade Wolhuter who is carrying a niggle from last week.
New recruit Sibabalo Qoma can potentially make his debut for the Lions from the bench.
“We’re excited for what promises to be an exciting clash tomorrow,” said Head Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi.
“We’re grateful for the positive start last week and hope to carry that form into this week.
“We’re alive to the fact that the Pumas will be tough opposition, particularly at home as they are a team that is well established and have cohesion, so no doubt they’ll be challenging.
“It’s also great to welcome back Edwill and Morne who are in short supply of game time.
“Hopefully, we can give them good game time and a good platform to earn test caps next week for the Springboks,” the coach commented.
Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Izan Esterhuizen, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Jacques-Lois du Toit, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Sibabalo Qoma, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Tapiwa Mafura
Date: Friday, July 12
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Kick-off: 19.00
Referee: Sean Muller
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez
