Ruan Dreyer and Reinhard Nothnagel return as the Lions have named a relatively unchanged 23 to face Benetton in the United Rugby Championship at Stadio Monigo on Saturday.
Nothnagel, Dreyer and Travis Gordon are the only changes – all on the bench – with Marius Louw retaining the captaincy, while Andries Coetzee is in line to feature against his former club in Treviso.
The 11th-placed Lions and Benetton, in ninth, are both fighting for a top-eight finish in the URC, with two rounds remaining after this weekend’s clash.
Momentum
Ivan van Rooyen’s team have momentum on their side after back-to-back wins against Glasgow Warriors and the Bulls before a two-week break in the competition.
Speaking from Treviso in the build-up to Saturday, Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys said he expects a physical encounter combined with an expansive style of play from both teams.
“Benetton are a team that likes to throw the ball around, and we ourselves like to do the same so I think it will be an entertaining match to watch. In saying that, the team that is more accurate and can absorb the pressure will do well,” he said.
“Reflecting on our last fixture against them back in South Africa last year, it was probably one of the most physical games and that’s what we look forward to the most, coupled with playing against a quality team with a few internationals potentially coming back.”
“Its going to be a good battle and a really good game for us to see where we’re at as we feel we’ve grown over the past couple of weeks and ultimately what counts is what happens between the four white lines.”
Lions: Quan Horn, Rabz Maxwane, Manuel Rass, Marius Louw (capt), Edwill van der Merwe, Gianni Lombard, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Ruan Venter, Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruben Schoeman, Willem Alberts, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith. Bench: Morne Brandon, Rhynardt Rijnsburger, Ruan Dreyer, Reinhard Nothnagel, Travis Gordon, Morne van den Berg, Ryhnhardt Jonker, Andries Coetzee
This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.
