Lions have 'inside info' with Kriel

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run when they face off against Zebre in a United Rugby Championship Round Five encounter at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, in Parma, on Saturday.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen has switched up his starting XV to face the Italians.

The most noticeable change is in the midfield – with Marius Louw and Henco van Wyk combining for the first time this season.

Both have had impressive cameos off the bench in recent matches and will be tasked with bringing pace and physicality come Saturday.

Richard Kriel will come up against his former team after returning from a shoulder injury, which kept him out of action for nearly three months.

The elusive wing will run out in his familiar No.14 jersey.

Sanele Nohamba returns to the playmaker role alongside Morné van den Berg, who retains his position at scrumhalf.

Elsewhere, Conraad van Vuuren replaces Asenathi Ntlabakanye (concussion) and Ruben Schoeman starts for the injured Darrien Landsberg.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Johannes Pretorius, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Botha, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Rynhardt Jonker/Erich Cronje, 23 Rabz Maxwane.

Date: Saturday, October 19
Venue: Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma
Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT; 13.30 SA Time)
Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) and Rhys Jones (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)