Hendrikse gets Lions' No.10 jersey for Stormers clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has revealed his matchday 23 for Saturday's United Rugby Championship Round One clash against the Stormers at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Lions boss has opted for experience and consistency with the likes of Corne Fourie and Ruan Dreyer upfront as well as skipper Marius Louw, Sanele Nohamba and fullback Quan Horn who’ve all featured prominently last season.
Meanwhile, new recruit Richard Kriel starts on the wing.
Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse gets the No.10 jersey after a lengthy lay-off with a shoulder injury.
The Johannesburg side are aiming for an improvement on last year’s edition of the competition where they missed out on a play-off spot, making this Saturday an opportunity to start well against a team determined to maintain their status in the tournament.
A man familiar with success in a Lions jersey is Fourie who has returned to Doornfontein on loan and straight into the starting loosehead jumper as cover for the injured JP Smith.
Fourie also represented the Stormers in Super Rugby and knows what to expect from the John Dobson-led side.
"I was fortunate enough to play a season at the Stormers. I know the personnel and calibre of players they have," said Fourie.
"Coach John Dobson prides his pack with good first phase, mauls, line-outs, scrums etc. That’s where he wants to launch from set-piece, allowing the backline to run and do the flashy things the Stormers are known for."
The bench boasts power and pace with Willem Alberts and Ruan Venter being tasked to provide the hurt factor, with the explosive scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and 2022 SA ‘A’ representative Henco van Wyk making a welcome return after a lengthy time on the sidelines.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Corne Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Date: Saturday, October 21
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 16.05 (14.05 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)