Two absentee players have been included by Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen in a 30-man squad for the Joburg-based outfit’s maiden Investec Champions Cup clash on Saturday.
The touring squad is made up of 18 forwards and 12 backs, and features several Springboks, prop Boan Venter, loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg and fullback Quan Horn.
Utility back Erich Cronjé returns after missing out on last week’s Jukskei derby defeat by the Bulls due to injury, while centre Bronson Mills is in line for his first appearance of the season.
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There is experience and excitement in the form of skipper Francke Horn, Henco van Wyk, JC Pretorius, Nico Steyn, Batho Hlekani, Siba Mahashe and Chris Smith, with the promising Ethan Adams set to make his European cup bow.
The Pride will make their Champions Cup debut this week against former champions La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, followed by back-to-back URC matches in Scotland versus Edinburgh (23 October) and the Glasgow Warriors (30 October).
Their next Champions Cup fixture is a blockbuster Ellis Park clash on 12 December against six-time winners Toulouse, then travel to London to face Saracens (10 January) before completing their pool campaign at home against the Exeter Chiefs (16 January).
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Lions Champions Cup squad
Forwards: Hyron Andrews, Morné Brandon, PJ Botha, Ruan Delport, Batho Hlekani, Francke Horn (c), SJ Kotze, Tiaan Lange, Siba Mahashe, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Etienne Oosthuizen, JC Pretorius, Sibabalo Qoma, RF Schoeman, Dylan Sjoblom, Ruan Swart, Conrad van Vuuren, Boan Venter.
Backs: Ethan Adams, Boeta Chamberlain, Zian Cilliers, Erich Cronjé, Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Bronson Mills, Kelly Mpeku, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, Morné van den Berg, Henco van Wyk.
Photo: Gallo Images
The post Lions get boost for Champs Cup debut appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Two absentee players have been included by Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen in a 30-man squad for the Joburg-based outfit’s maiden Investec Champions Cup clash on Saturday.
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