Lions forced to change for Sharks clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named his team to face the Sharks in their Rainbow Cup SA Round Two clash in Durban on Saturday.
There are a few changes to the team that lost 9-24 to the Bulls in Pretoria in Round One.
In the backline, EW Viljoen takes over the No.15 jersey from Tiaan Swanepoel.
Swanepoel will be out of action for approximately eight to 10 weeks. The 24-year-old, who can play fullback and flyhalf, suffered a fractured right fibula during his team’s defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Rabz Maxwane also comes into the backline at No.14 wing to replace the injured Stean Pienaar.
In the pack, Wilhelm van der Sluys drops out of the second row due to injury and his place at No.5 lock is taken by Reinhard Nothnagel.
In the front row, Carlü Sadie gets the No.3 jersey.
Meanwhile, Jordan Hendrikse has been recalled from the SA Rugby Under-20 Academy alignment camp while Jaco Visagie and Burger Odendaal return from injury and are included on the bench.
Willem Alberts is still sidelined due to injury.
Lions: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 André Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Len Massyn, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Burger Odendaal.
Date: Saturday, May 8
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Adriaan Jacobs, Rasta Rashivenge
TMO: Egon Seconds
