Lions bring in a Bok for Sharks clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made two changes to his starting XV for their rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round 13 clash against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
Both changes are in the front row.
Springbok Jannie du Plessis comes in to face his former franchise. He replaces Carlu Sadie, who is not in the matchday 23 this week due to concussion.
The other change sees Sithembiso Sithole take over the No.1 jersey from Jean-Pierre Smith, who drops down to the bench.
Elsewhere, talented flank forward Jarod Cairns, who has shown consistent performances in this year’s Currie Cup for the Lions, could get his opportunity off the bench.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz 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 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Sibusiso Sangweni, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
Date: Saturday, April 9
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.05 (14.05 GMT)
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)