Fit again Louw returns for Bulls' clash with Lions

Almost 10 months to the day since he last played, Elrigh Louw will pull on the famous Vodacom Bulls jersey against the Lions in this weekend’s Vodacom URC showdown at Loftus Versfeld.

Ironically, his last match also came against the Lions, during which he sustained a catastrophic knee injury. Now, after months of rehabilitation, the Springbok loose forward is primed to make his comeback off the bench in a vital match.

Louw is one of five Springboks called up by coach Johan Ackermann. Among these is hooker Akker van der Merwe, also back from injury and Willie le Roux, who remains critical to the Vodacom Bulls’ ambitions.

Reinhardt Ludwig, so successful on the recent overseas tour, retains the captaincy.

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Stravino Jacobs; 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 JJ Theron, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (capt), 6 Jeandre Rudolph; 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alu Tshakweni. Replacements: 16 Jean Else, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Cheswill Jooste.

Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Eduan Keyter; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns; 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen; 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Edward Davids, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Gianni Lombard.

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Lions

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 12pm IRE & UK/1pm ITA/2pm SA

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU, 12th league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, TG4, Flo Rugby & URC.tv