Lions hunting big win in Wales

The Lions will be looking to end their overseas tour on high this Friday night when they take on Ospreys in Round 10 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in Bridgend, Wales.

With their focus now solely on the URC, the Joburgers will set their sights on ninth place Ospreys in what should be another thrilling encounter between the two sides, who have met five times in all competitions with the Welsh claiming three.

Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux says despite the current uncertainty in Welsh rugby, there is no doubt Ospreys will come out fighting as they too fight for a play-off spot in the competition.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty in Welsh rugby at the moment,” he commented. “I think everybody wants to fight and put their best foot forward. They’ll be an absolutely hungry side and will want to make a statement.”

On the field, the former Springbok prop believes conditions at the Electric Brewery Field, an unfamiliar venue to the visitors, will pose interesting challenges come Friday night.

”The Ospreys understand the weather and are playing at home,” Roux said. “It’s colder, wet and windy. We haven’t played on the pitch before, so conditions are obviously more difficult and different. But they are a quality side.”

In team news, a new look front row sees SJ Kotze, PJ Botha and Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye combine in the scrum, with Ruben Schoeman the preferred starter alongside Reinhard Nothnagel in the second row.

The backline features Springbok halfback Morne van den Berg at the base of the scrum, with star centre Henco van Wyk running out for his 50th international club appearance for his franchise.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has gone with a powerful bench which includes bruiser Etienne Oosthuizen and turn over king Jarod Cairns- who is yet to feature on this tour. Haashim Pead and Erich Cronje complete the backline options.

Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Richard Kriel; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Renxo du Plessis; 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Jarod Cairns, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.

FRIDAY

Ospreys v Lions

Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA/9.45pm SA

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 18th league game)

AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv