COVID forces Lions to change
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has been forced into making some changes to his team to face Edinburgh on Saturday – two players being ruled out of the United Rugby Championship Round 15 encounter as close-contact COVID cases.
Hooker Pieter Botha and centre Manuel Rass come in for Jaco Visagie and Burger Odendaal, respectively.
“Jaco and Burger were close contacts earlier in the week,” Van Rooyen said.
“COVID protocols meant they needed to be away from the team to mitigate risk.
“They will be assessed on Monday next week.”
Other changes will see Jean-Pierre Smith start at loosehead prop.
Smith comes in for regular starter Sithembiso Sithole who has been rested after a series of matches in the competition.
Speaking on Smith’s inclusion, the Lions mentor says the loosehead prop has been rewarded for great performances across all competitions.
“JP has impressed us in both the Currie Cup as well as stints in the URC, so we are eager to see what he can offer us from minute one,” Van Rooyen said.
The Johannesburg-based side, led by lock Reinhard Nothnagel, will look to continue their positive string of results against Northern Hemisphere opposition – following wins against Cardiff, Munster and Ospreys in recent weeks.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Manuel Rass, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Francke Horn, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Date: Saturday, April 2
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 16.05 (15.05 Ireland & UK, 14.05 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Paul Mente (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Crouse (South Africa)
