The Lions are entrusting two talented players to step up in the absence of two Springboks when they host the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday.
As expected, Bok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg misses out due to a leg injury sustained against Edinburgh last week and is replaced in the starting lineup by 23-year-old Nico Steyn with Haashim Pead on the bench.
The Lions also confirmed on Friday that Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is absent this weekend due to his Saids (South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport hearing, which is currently underway.
Ntlabakanye, who tested positive for a banned substance last year, did not train with the team this week, so his No 3 jersey is taken by 22-year-old RF Schoeman.
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There are also changes to the second row, with Etienne Oosthuizen returning from illness to partner Reinhard Nothnagel, who replaces Darrien Landsberg.
The Lions remained seventh on the Vodacom URC log after beating Edinburgh 54-17 last weekend, while the Dragons’ 29-21 loss to the Stormers left them languishing in 15th.
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LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Lions back duo to slay Dragons appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Lions are entrusting two talented players to step up in the absence of two Springboks when they host the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday.
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