URC: Two Springboks start for Lions in crunch derby

The Lions have named their team to take on the Sharks on Saturday in their first game back at Ellis Park after six weeks on the road.

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The Lions return to Ellis Park this Saturday for their Round 14 Vodacom URC encounter against the Sharks, after a challenging four-week European tour.

The team from Doornfontein will target Saturday’s outing against the Sharks as an opportunity to collect maximum log points towards their journey in the race for a top eight finish.

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Springbok duo Willem Alberts and Jaco Kriel have retained their places in the starting lineup, with the former playing No 4 lock and the latter open side flank.

There are starts for Gianni Lombard, Manuel Rass and speedster Rabz Maxwane; while forward Ruan Delport could potentially make his debut off the bench in Lions colours.

The halfback combination of Morne van den Berg and Lombard will look to spearhead the Lions’ attack on a familiar surface, with speedster Maxwane on hand to finish opportunities on the wing. He returns to the right wing after missing out on their recent tour due to injury.

Elswhere, Tshituka faces his brother Vincent, a former Lions man, now in the black and white of the Sharks, in what is poised to be an exciting battle for the Congolese siblings.

Delport has been named on the Lions bench for a possible debut, with a third capped Springbok, Ruan Dreyer, providing cover amongst front row.

COACH IVAN VAN ROOYEN ON HIS TEAM SELECTION:

“The aim for us is to be more dynamic on attack as well as with our kicking game,” he said.

“If you look at the top teams in this competition, their point of difference is their attacking-kicking game as well as their defensive kicking game. It’s been a work on for us on tour because of the conditions and circumstances, but especially back here at home where we’ve worked hard on the aspects I’ve mentioned, ” the Lions boss added.

“Being back home we feel we need to play differently whether it’s on attack or defence. The system is not just going to do for you; there are intricacies in there that require attention. In terms of energy and excitement, the guys have trained well and hard over the past two weeks and are raring to go at home after being away for six weeks. There’s a real excitement for this weekend.”

LIONS TEAM TO TAKE ON SHARKS IN URC SHOWDOWN AT ELLIS PARK

Lions — 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabs Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Subs: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruhan Delport, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Ruhan Straeuli, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

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