Lions desperate for five points in Durban
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has indicated that five points are what his team is after from their clash with the Sharks in Durban in the Currie Cup this weekend.
Nkosi said while the Sharks are hunting for a home semifinal, the Lions are desperate for a third or fourth spot.
“So that’s ingredients that can conjure up a big game. It’s a play-off game for us and that’s the message we’ve been driving, but like most things, we’ve got to control what we can control,” Nkosi said.
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Something’s cooking…🔥🔥🔥#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/1GZjjbk9zh
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) June 1, 2023
The Lions coaching staff have made three changes to their starting line-up with the hookers playing musical chairs. Morne Brandon is getting a starting berth as Jaco Visagie, who did not feature in the win over Western Province last weekend, warms the bench.
In the front row only Ruan Dreyer retains his place, this time at tighthead which sees Asenathi Nthlabakanye move to the bench and Rhynhardt Runsburg comes in at loose-head.
Among the backs Rynhardt Jonker drops to the bench and makes way for Manuel Rass to partner with captain Marius Louw in the midfield.
The coach was adamant that the next two weeks will be crucial for his team.
“We’ve got to give it our best shot and where we land up, is where we land up. And hopefully that’s within the semifinals.”
Team:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Johannes Pretorius, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Rhynhardt Runsburger.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Asenathi Nthlabakanye, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Andries Coetzee
Date: Saturday, June 3
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Phumzile Mbewu
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
