The Lions gather in a team huddle during a URC match. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.

The Lions gather in a team huddle during a URC match. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.

URC: Former Springbok’s son to make Lions debut

Emile van Heerden, son for ex-Springbok Fritz, to make Lions debut following selection at blindside flank for their URC game against Munster.

The Lions gather in a team huddle during a URC match. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.

The Lions gather in a team huddle during a URC match. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.

Emile van Heerden, son for ex-Springbok Fritz, will make his debut for the Lions after he was selected at blindside flank for their URC game against Munster.

The Lions will come up against Irish province Munster at Musgrave Park in Cork on Friday, when the men from Johannesburg will look to end their two-game losing in the URC.

WIN | A VIP Trip to the URC Grand Final, 27 May 2023

Van Heerden, whose father Fritz played for the Springboks and Western Province, will don the No 7 jersey for the Lions ahead of Ruan Venter, who was moved to the second row where he will partner Darrien Landsberg.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and wing Stean Pienaar are also included in the Lions starting XV, at the expense of of Sanele Nohamba and Rabz Maxwane, respectively.

Among the substitutes, hooker Michael van Vuuren gets his chance off the bench, which also boasts the presence of the experienced duo Willem Alberts and Andre Warner.

ALSO READ: Confirmed — SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux forced to step down

“Friday will be a good test for our guys against Munster on tour,” said Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys.

“The Munster pack has been in good form recently, so Friday will be an exciting challenge for this team especially the guys who’ll be getting an opportunity to feature.

“We all know you don’t grow when it’s easy, you grow when it’s tough – and Friday will be tough especially in these conditions away from home,” the Lions assistant coach added.

“Playing at Musgrave Park will be new for us as none of our current squad members have played there. In saying that, we tend to strive under the new and unknown so this will certainly be one of those.”

ALSO READ: Bulls boss Jake White suffers health scare

LIONS TEAM FOR URC CLASH AGAINST MUNSTER:

Lions — 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Emile van Heerden, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Subs: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Manuel Rass.

Lions URC team sheet graphic
The Lions team graphic for their URC match against Munster.