Lions roll out their URC heavyweights at Loftus
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions are using their Currie Cup Round 11 encounter with the Bulls as a ‘warm-up’ match for their United Rugby Championship squad.
With the exception of a couple of injured players – like brothers Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka – the Lions will be fielding their first-choice URC squad at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen, who is taking charge of the team because it is the URC squad, said it is in preparation for their trip to Newport and a Round 18 encounter with the Dragons and Rodney Parade next week.
Burger Odendaal will lead the Lions on Saturday.
Apart from the skipper, Odendaal, the team also includes former Bulls hooker Jaco Visagie.
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Ruben “Never Stops Going” Schoeman is committed to the Pride. 🔒#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/Jg292Zli1a
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 12, 2022
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Botha, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cal Smid, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Henko van Wyk, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Date: Saturday, May 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira, Local appointment
TMO: Christie du Preez
Here’s looking to the future 👀#LionsPride | @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/moBmyr1KRo
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 11, 2022
