Horn to lead Lions in Lowveld raid
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will travel to Mbombela this weekend, where they will face the Pumas in the first round of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious competition, the Currie Cup.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has picked a combination of experience and youth, which will be captained by No.8 Francke Horn – who has returned from injury.
Exciting youngsters like Morne Brandon, Banele Mthenjane, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka and Aidynn Cupido will all look to make their debuts from the bench.
“We look forward to an exciting Currie Cup season, where we will play matches with very short turn-around times,” Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli said.
“Our next match will be next Wednesday, June 23, at Ellis Park – when we will host Western Province.”
Lions: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 11 Dillon Smit, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Nathan McBeth.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruhan Straeuli, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Aidynn Cupido, 23 Duncan Matthews.
Date: Friday, June 18
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
