lions super rugby 2019

Aphiwe Dyantyi of the Lions during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Everything you need to know about the Lions vs Stormers

The Lions will host the Stormers in another exciting Super Rugby encounter in Johannesburg on Saturday.

lions super rugby 2019

Aphiwe Dyantyi of the Lions during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

The Stormers are travelling to Johannesburg to face the Emirates Lions this week.

The Cape Town side believes a positive attitude and mindset will be key when they face the Lions.

Following their encouraging four-try 34-22 win against the Highlanders at Newlands on Saturday, the Stormers have set their sights on bringing the same intensity away from home this weekend.

Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that the players will be managed carefully this week after two physically demanding games at Newlands against the Crusaders and Highlanders, with the focus on preparing the players mentally and tactically for the challenge that lies ahead at Emirates Airlines Park.

“There is confidence now and there is belief in the plan and now it is just about managing players and getting them ready for the weekend.

“Just seeing the response from the players, the way that they are training and the way they responded out there on the day. There is a different feel about it.

“The mindset is there and the attitude is there, now it is just about getting the bodies ready for the next challenge,” he said.

While the Stormers haven’t beaten the Lions in Johannesburg for some time, they are set to put in an immense effort to get a win.

Lions team and injury news

Malcolm Marx returns to captain the Lions when they host the Stormers on Saturday.

The Lions pack shows some changes from last week. Carlu Sadie makes a return as does Vincent Tshituka. In a positional change Cyle Brink moves from No 7 to No 6.

Shaun Reynolds will partner with Ross Cronje in a new half-back pairing.

Elton Jantjies was not considered for selection this week due to a breach of team protocol.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx (c), 1 Dylan Smith

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Nic Groom, 23 Tyrone Green

Stormers team and injury news

Steven Kitshoff will captain the Stormers in their Super Rugby encounter against the Lions. The prop takes over the captaincy from regular skipper Siya Kolisi who will miss the clash.

Kolisi (knee), Pieter-Steph du Toit (shoulder) and Kobus van Dyk (knee) have all been ruled out due to injuries, which have resulted in a number of changes to the Stormers forward pack.

In the loose trio, Sikhumbuzo Notshe will start at No 8, with Jaco Coetzee shifting to openside flank and Johan du Toit on the other side of the scrum.

Eben Etzebeth returns after being sidelined through illness last week and takes his place in the second row alongside Cobus Wiese.

The only change to the front row is a rotation at tighthead prop, with Wilco Louw in the starting line-up and Frans Malherbe set to make an impact in the second half.

The only changes to the replacements bench see the return of fit-again utility forward Ernst van Rhyn and a potential Stormers debut for loose forward Marno Redelinghuys.

The backline remains unchanged from the combination that featured against the Highlanders last week.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Johan du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c)

Substitutes: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Marno Redelinghuys, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Dan Kriel

Kick off time

Saturday, 1 June at 17:05 (SAST).

TV & Live Stream

The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 (SS1).