Baby Boks take centre stage for Lions
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions travel to Nelspruit to face the Pumas for the return leg of their Currie Cup encounter on Wednesday.
Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi named his match 23, which includes former Junior Springbok stars Tyler Bocks and James Mollentze in the midfield.
There is also the return from injury of exciting back Ngia Selengbe, who could make an appearance from the replacement’s bench.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye, fresh from United Rugby Championship duty, assumes the captain’s armband and leads a pack that features powerhouse lock forward Peter-John Steenkamp.
Sasko Ndlovu, also a national representative at junior level, gets his first start in the competition.
Lions: 15 Vaughen Isaacs, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 James Mollentze, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Zeilinga Strydom, 10 Luke Rossouw, 9 Jurich Claasens, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Lindo Ncusane, 6 Sasko Ndlovu, 5 Lunga Ncube/Cal Smid, 4 Peter-John Steenkamp, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), 2 Jacque-Lois du Toit, 1 Kayden Kiewit.
Replacements: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Chergin Fillies, 19 Connor van Buuren, 20 Cal Smid/MJ Pelser, 21 Ginter Smuts, 22 James Tedder, 23 Ngia Selengbe.
Date: Wednesday, April 6
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 15.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: Ashleigh Murray-Pretorius, Local
TMO: Quinton Immelman
