Clash of the unbeaten when Lions face Montpellier
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will meet their match when they come face to face with Montpellier in a clash of two unbeaten Challenge Cup records this season in France on Saturday evening.
The game couldn’t be more evenly poised, as both clubs currently have a points difference of +38. The TOP 14 club are a point ahead on account of their extra try bonus point.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has reverted to his second stringers again for the away leg of the Challenge Cup and again put his faith in hooker Jaco Visagie to lead the side.
Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and Nico Steyn will form the halfback combination. Gianni Lombard warms the bench as back-up for Hendrikse which leaves former Stormer Kade Wolhuter out in the cold.
Stean Pienaar returns to the squad in the number 14 jersey.
Prop Conrad van Vuuren makes his debut in the red and white jersey.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Boldwin Hansen, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Hanru Sirgel, 7 Izan Esterhuizen, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Travis Gordon, 22 Johan Mulder, 23 Gianni Lombard
Date: Saturday, January 13
Venue: GGL Stadium, Montpellier
Kick-off: 22.00
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SCO)
Assistant referees: Finlay Brown (SCO) & Ethan Glass (SWI)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SCO
