Nohamba at No.10 as Lions bring in their stars for Leinster
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 14 clash against Leinster in Johannesburg.
There are nine changes to the team that lost to Benetton in their Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash.
Sanele Nohamba headlines the changes as he gets the No.10 jersey for Saturday’s match.
Marius Louw returns to captain the team and he joins Erich Cronje in the midfield.
Quan Horn also returns to take over the No.15 jersey and he will be joined in the back three by Richard Kriel and Edwill van der Merwe.
In the pack, Francke Horn makes his 50th appearance for the Lions and he is back at No.8.
In the second row, Willem Alberts will have a new partner in the form of Ruan Delport.
There are also two changes in the front row with Ruan Dreyer and PJ Botha coming in for Conraad van Vuuren and Jaco Visagie.
Meanwhile, Henco van Wyk returns from injury and he will play off the bench.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye also returns from suspension and will provide cover for Dreyer.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Morgan Naude.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Henco van Wyk.
Date: Saturday, April 20
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 UK & Ireland time; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) and Christopher Allison (South Africa)
TMO: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
