It's a straight shoot-out – Horn on Munster clash

The Fidelity SecureDrive Lions take on Irish side Munster in Round 18 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in the tournament’s fixture this Saturday night. A win for the men from Johannesburg will secure them a place in the play-offs – a first for the club since the inclusion of South African teams in the competition back in 2021.

On the back of a spirited effort against Leinster last weekend, head coach Ivan van Rooyen has tweaked his match 23 slightly, amongst them being forced changes.

Sebastian Lombard starts at tighthead prop in place of Asenathi Ntlabakanye after news broke of his unavailability due to a ban issued by doping authorities this week. Lock Etienne Oosthuizen misses out this week with Darrien Landsberg partnering with Reinhard Nothnagel in the second row.

Changes in the back row sees the abrasive Batho Hlekani start in the No 7 jersey after a knee injury ruled out Springbok Ruan Venter in the early minutes at the Aviva last week. Hlekani slots into a dynamic loose trio which consists of breakout star Siba Mahashe and team captain Francke Horn.

A singular change in the backline sees Kelly Mpeku start on the right wing after coming of the bench last week.

Horn refused to be drawn into permutation talks ahead of this must-win clash, instead relied on a simple scenario.

“Our goal has always been to make the top eight,” said Horn.

“If we win this weekend we do that, so it’s basically as straightforward as that. A win makes sure we’re in the top eight – then you don’t have to worry about who plays where and who has to lose that spot.

“We already have our plans for Munster and how we want to force our game onto them,” he said. “It’s a straight shoot-out. Munster are also going to be desperate – they need a win. So it’s going to be a massive game.”

On the bench RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Siba Qoma and Haashim Pead are amongst the reserves who are likely to experience the intensity of the final round-robin match of the tournament.

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said: "We came in on Monday and drew a new line in the sand for what we knew was coming this week against the Lions.

"A quality rugby team, one that’s had a great run over the last two, three months and is coming into the back end of the season with a bit of momentum – albeit with a hiccup against Leinster.

"We don't have any option but to generate good energy in the group and put out a performance everybody can be proud of.”

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel; 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

SATURDAY

Munster Rugby v Fidelity SecureDrive Lions

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45 ITA & SA

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

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR) 60th game

AR1: Keane Davison (IRFU), AR2: Jonathan Erskine (IRFU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)