Lions get Krappie injection for Italian job

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is back in Lions colours this weekend for their Round Three clash in the United Rugby Championship with Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.

He teams up in the halfback pairing with experienced flyhalf Chris Smith that should boost the Lions after their first two losses in the URC.

Another Springbok that is back in the starting line-up is big prop forward Asenathi Ntlabakanye, after starting from the bench against Zebre last weekend.

Flanker JC Pretorius is back from injury and slots into the loose trio.

The Lions, determined to bounce back from their heartbreaking 20-22 defeat against Zebre Parma last week, face Benetton, who come fresh from a 16-14 victory against Glasgow, to power their way up the standings.

With only nine points separating the teams on attack and 15 on defence, this should also give them some confidence.

The disappointment of losing out on a playoff spot last season, combined with their desperation to bounce back from two disappointing results on tour and turn things around in their final match abroad, is also expected to fuel their determination going into this weekend’s encounter.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Manuel Rass

Date: Saturday, October 11
Venue: Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Kick-off: 16.00 (16.00 SA Time, 14.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Filipo Russo (Italy) & Luca Bisetto (Italy)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)