Tshituka returns on the bench for Zebre clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have a major boost for their United Rugby Championship Round 18 clash against Zebre.

The fixture is certainly a momentous occasion as Lions legend Jaco Kriel will play his final professional game on Saturday.

Kriel played his last game at Ellis Park last weekend and will now make his final bow at Loftus Versfeld in a historic double-header.

The Bok will don the No.6 jersey.

There are two changes in the starting XV. Rabz Maxwane and Ruan Venter return to the starting XV after missing last weekend's URC fixture due to head knocks.

There is a lot of movement on the bench.

Loose forward Emmanuel Tshituka returns to the match-day 23 after his three-week suspension.

Tshituka, who received a straight red card during the Lions’ Challenge Cup Round of 16 match against Racing 92, will provide on the bench.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is due for his 50th appearance when he enters the field as a replacement.

Prop Morgan Naude comes in for the injured JP Smith on the bench.

Lions:15 Quan Horn, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jacobus Kriel, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger.

Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka , 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Andries Coetzee.

Date: Saturday, April 22

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium Pretoria

Kick-off 13.00 (12.00 GMT; 13.00 Italy time)

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)

TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)