Lions opt for continuity
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: On the back of a morale-boosting 28-27 win against Ospreys in Swansea, the Lions take on Cardiff on Friday.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has opted for continuity as he made minor changes for their United Rugby Championship Round three clash match in Cardiff.
There are two changes in the starting XV and one on the bench.
The Lions will field a new midfield combination, as Henco van Wyk comes in at outside centre.
The 18-year-old replaces Zander du Plessis, who moves to the bench.
The other change in the pack.
Pieter Jansen van Vuren gets promoted from the bench and will don the No.4 jersey.
He will partner with captain Reinhard Nothnagel as the new-look second row.
Utility forwards Ruhan Straeuli is the new face on the bench. He will provide the much-needed power for the pack when he takes to the field.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Zander du Plessis.
Date: September 30
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Kick-off: 19.35 (18.35 GMT; 20.35 SA Time)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales) & Carwyn Williams (Wals)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)
