Horn leads Lions as they chase Currie Cup redemption

Springbok fullback Quan Horn takes the captain’s armband for this Saturday’s crunch Carling Currie Cup final as the Fidelity ADT Lions take on the Suzuki Griquas at Ellis Park (3pm kick-off). Horn’s leadership role is as a result of a knee injury sustained by regular skipper PJ Botha against the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers in last weekend’s semi-final.

Another Springbok and crowd favourite, Asenathi Ntlabakanye starts at tight head prop for the Joburg side on the weekend. Ntlabakanye, fresh from his Players’ Player award, voted for by his franchise teammates at the Lions Players Awards earlier this week, has been training with the squad over the past two weeks.

“Asa will start for us this weekend,” said head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi.

“He’s been formally charged by the South Africa Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) but not suspended,” the Currie Cup mentor explained.

“In the interim, he is a contracted rugby player at the Lions so he must play. Importantly however, we have chatted to him and he is emotionally comfortable to play on Saturday - in fact, he is the vice-captain of the team. There is a lot of backing for Asenathi starting right at the top from our Chairman, CEO, management and players.”

Speaking ahead of the occasion, Nkosi says his team is upbeat ahead of their consecutive final.

“It’s a Currie Cup final and both teams will be positively optimistic. We are proud of the fact that it’s our second domestic final in a row since 2014 and 2015 so there’s lot to be said for that. We are certainly looking forward to it especially with the good week of training we’ve had.”

In team news, hooker Franco Marais replaces PJ Botha hooker. RF Schoeman drops down to the replacements bench making way for Ntlabakanye.

Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Quan Horn (capt), 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Jenco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarrod Cairns; 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marias, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

Suzuki Griquas: 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelenedaba, 11 Gurshwin Wehr; 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams; 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen; 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Cebo Dlamini (capt), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney.

Fidelity ADT Lions v Suzuki Griquas - Saturday @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg (3pm)

Referee: Christopher Allison

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby