Lions get speedster back for Benetton clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his team to face Benetton in a United Rugby Championship Round 17 clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.
This will be the Johannesburg-based side’s last home game before jetting off to Wales in two weeks for their final fixture of the tournament.
There is one change in the backline with Stean Pienaar returning to the right wing and Sibahle Maxwane dropping out of the matchday 23.
There are two changes in the front row.
Carlu Sadie comes in to take over the No.3 jersey from Ruan Dreyer and Jean-Pierre Smith replaces Sithembiso Sithole on the other side of the scrum.
Dreyer and Smith both drop down to the bench.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 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, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Date: Saturday, April 30
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14.00 (14.00 Italy time; 12.00 GMT)
Referee: Andy Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)