Horn leads injury-hit Lions

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a strong 23-man squad for his side’s United Rugby Championship opener against Irish province Ulster at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Francke Horn leads the Johannesburg franchise in place of regular skipper Marius Louw, who misses out due to injury after last week’s Currie Cup Final.

Other players unavailable due to injury include JC Pretorius, Raynard Roets, Morné Brandon and Zander du Plessis.

Lock Reinhard Nothnagel will run out for his 50th match for the Lions.

Saturday also sees six players make their URC debuts for the franchise.

Kade Wolhuter gets the nod at flyhalf for what will be his first URC start for the Lions since moving to Johannesburg last season.

Also making their URC debuts for the Lions are new signings Tapiwa Mafura, Franco Marais, Juan Schoeman and Siba Qoma.

Renzo du Plessis, who had a sterling Currie Cup campaign also receives his first start.

Centre Henco van Wyk makes a welcome return to the match 23 after a lengthy time on the sidelines.

Van Rooyen says he expects an upbeat Ulster side after their victory against defending champions Glasgow Warriors in Round One.

“It’s important for us to keep the momentum,” Van Rooyen said.

“We were happy with the momentum we took into the recent Currie Cup campaign and it’s important for us to maintain that going into this year’s URC season.

“As a group, we are excited about the upcoming URC.

“There’s a great vibe and energy within the squad.

“We have six URC debutants featuring this weekend comprising of a combination new signings and guys from the recent Currie Cup.

“Ultimately, it’s important for us to start well at home this weekend against an Ulster team who beat the defending champions last weekend.

“We know they’ll arrive ready to go so we’ll be up for it,” he concluded.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Morgan Naudé.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Henco van Wyk.

Date: Saturday, September 28
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 12.55 (11.55 Ireland & UK time; 10.55 GMT)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South African), Henru van Rooyen (South African)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)