Lions ready to fire at Dragons as URC heats up

The Fidelity SecureDrive Lions have named their side to take on the Dragons in Round 14 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Ellis Park this Saturday. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made four changes to his starting XV as the team looks to continue their strong home form at home.

Among the notable adjustments is the return of Etienne Oosthuizen, who slots back into the second row after missing last week’s fixture due to illness. He partners Reinhard Nothnagel, who replaces Darrien Landsburg in the lock pairing.

In the front row, promising young prop RF Schoeman steps in for Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye, adding fresh energy to the pack. Van Rooyen will also be without last week’s centurion Morne van den Berg. The Bok remains sidelined after sustaining a leg injury that is still under treatment. His absence sees Nico Steyn earning a start at halfback, with talented youngster Haashim Pead named on the bench to provide cover.

Despite minor disruptions in what has been a settled XV thus far, scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys believes his squad has able and capable individuals who can slot in seamlessly at this level.

“Asenathi is very important to us. He brings physicality and also leadership to the team,” said Redelinghuys.

“But when he is not here, the other guys have to take advantage of the opportunity they get. That is the only way the young guys grow. RF is a young prop who has played in many matches. He is still learning in every match,” he added.

“The set-pieces are the part of his game in which he still needs to learn the most; in the loose he plays like a wild dog,” the former Bok prop concluded.

The SA Shield holders are enjoying a strong run of results at home and will aim to finish this block of fixtures on a high against the Welsh visitors. Following this weekend’s clash, the Lions will enter a two‑week break before preparing for Glasgow Warriors and Connacht.

The bench sees welcome returns as well, with Sebastian Lombard (prop) and Ruan Delport (lock) set to add impact later in the contest.

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: “Lions are a good side and they're also a smart team.

“They have different types of kicking plans. Because of the altitude, teams will try and defend the length of the kick but they’ve got small, short, little dinks too. They are a challenge.

“They’re big men too, so the physicality won't be any different. We've got to get in the ground and then it’s about how we impose our game and we need to be physical against them.”

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronje; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe; 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen; 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.

SATURDAY

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions v Dragons RFC

Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 2.30pm IRE & UK/3.30pm ITA/4.30pm SA

Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU, 2nd league game)

AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2: Stephen Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

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