Bok boost for Lions in Sharks rematch
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions pack received a timely boost with the return of a Springbok forward for their rescheduled Round Eight United Rugby Championship clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park.
The Lions bulked up their pack with the return of Bok Ruan Venter following his suspension for a red card received in Round Nine against the Sharks in Durban.
Lock Darrien Landsberg will reach 50 caps for the Johannesburg-based side and starts alongside Ettienne Oosthuizen in the second row.
Flanker Siba Mahashe, who captained the Lions at junior level, will make his URC debut, having featured in the Challenge Cup for the Lions previously.
Chris Smith and Bok No.9 Morné van den Berg will be the halfback combination, with fellow Bok Quan Horn at fullback, who will be flanked by Kelly Mpeku and Angelo Davids on the wings.
Ivan van Rooyen opted for a six-two forward-heavy bench, which includes Junior Boks Batho Hlekani and Haashim Pead, with the latter one of two backs alongside Erich Cronje.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Eddie Davids, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronjé.
Date: Saturday, February 21
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14.00 SAST (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Zoe Naude (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
