Lions to unleash Junior Bok star against Lyon

The Lions are set to unleash Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani this Saturday for their Round 3 EPCR Challenge Cup against French outfit Lyon at Ellis Park. Kick-off in Johannesburg is at 5.15.

The former Sharks flanker reported for training with his new club last week and head coach Ivan van Rooyen wasted no time by including the 115kg giant into his match 23. The Gqeberha-born Hlekani has been asked to provide impact from the bench, with a powerful starting line-up announced to take on the physical Lyon. Both sides are yet to register a win in the competition, making Saturday the perfect opportunity to salvage an outside chance entry into the play-off stages of the competition.

Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys in his analysis of his opponents stressed on how good their set-piece is and the danger they possess once momentum is acquired.

“The difficult thing about the French teams is that you never know which team you are going to play,” Redelinghuys said.

“Home or away, you can never be sure of who is going to be selected. They are very good when they get momentum at the beginning coupled with a very good kicking game.

“The French are smart with when they shoot up, and they are careful in their own half until they feel they can make an attack. For us, we know we have to be awake,” he cautioned.

“Obviously they bring a massive set-piece focus. They pride themselves in that,” he concluded.

In team news, Conrad van Vuuren is selected at tighthead prop with Asenathi Ntlabakanye nursing a hamstring niggle. Renzo du Plessis gets an opportunity in the backrow alongside skipper Francke Horn and Siba Qoma.

Only one change in the backline in the form of Richard Kriel at right wing. there are also returns for Henco van Wyk and Sebastian Lombard from injury on the bench.

Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Renxo du Plessis; 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom; 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Rabz Maxwane.