Lions go for broke in Dublin
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen is set to unleash the Junior Springbok duo of Ruan Venter and Quan Horn when his side takes on Leinster in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship at the RDS Arena on Friday.
The two, who have been impressive across junior and senior provincial competitions in the last year, will line up in a match 23 which also sees centre Wandisile Simelane and Jordan Hendrikse make their return to the starting XV.
“We’re excited to see how Ruan and Quan go,” Van Rooyen said.
“It’s an extended opportunity for them to immerse themselves into our system and ultimately express their talent on the big stage,” he added.
Van Rooyen further went on to comment on the privilege of touring as a team, but at the same focusing on the job at hand come the weekend.
“Touring is always a great opportunity for the guys to strengthen bonds and build on our character which bodes well for team culture and ultimately on-field synergy.
“In terms of our approach, the catalyst for us will be the ability to adapt our style of play and our decision making at key moments during the game,” cautions Van Rooyen.
(Continue below …)
Van Rooyen is optimistic about his side’s set-piece play despite the challenges at lock, with a considerable amount of his jumpers out due to injury.
“The focus will be ensuring we get accurate line-out ball to create a platform for us to launch our attack and hold onto possession for as long as we can.
“Leinster is a side that thrives on getting their hands on the ball.”
Elsewhere, Lunga Ncube and Nico Steyn are in line to make their competition debuts.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Peter-John Steenkamp, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Botha, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Lunga Ncube, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Date: Friday, February 25
Venue: RDS Arena, Dublin
Kick-off: 19.35 (21.35 SA time; 19.35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland)
TMO: Colin Stanley (Ireland)
