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Lions coach makes playmaker change

By @rugby365com
Friday 16 May 2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his matchday squad for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship Round 18 clash against the Ospreys in Johannesburg.

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Van Rooyen will rely on Lubabalo Dobela to spearhead his attack against the Welsh side.

The nifty flyhalf, formerly with the Griquas, will relish the opportunity to start this weekend after making a few cameos in recent matches.

Elsewhere, Ruan Venter continues his role in the No.4 jumper while Saturday also sees the return of loosehead prop Juan Schoeman.

Speedster Edwill van der Merwe and centre Marius Louw (off the bench) will make their final appearances in Lions colours on Saturday.

Centre Henco van Wyk returns to outside centre after being a last-minute omission last week due to illness.

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Lions coach makes playmaker change

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Izan Esterhuizen, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kelly Mpeku.

Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.15 (16.15 UK & Ireland time; 15.15 GMT)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

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Trending

1
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