Lock forward Ruben Schoeman will lead the Fidelity ADT Lions ahead of their Round 7 clash against DHL Western Province at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Schoeman, who returns to the starting XV after serving a two-week suspension, partners with Darrien Landsberg in the second row. Hooker Morne Brandon gets a start against the men from Cape Town with regular skipper Jaco Visagie providing cover on the bench.
In another change, Sibabalo Qoma comes in for Ruan Venter who was a late omission from the run on XV. Popular prop forward Asenathi Ntlabakanye looks certain to make an impact later in the fixture in what will be is first appearance in this year’s campaign.
Commenting on the Carling Currie Cup as a competition, the abrasive second-rower and former Grey College pupil believes that it remains one of the best tournaments to be a part of.
“The standard of the competition, the quality of the skills displayed weekend-in and weekend-out still makes it one of the best competitions in the world in my opinion,” said Schoeman.
“You’ll have to argue with me quite a bit on that one to change my mind,” he quipped.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Schoeman is confident that if his troops remain steadfast in their planning, the outcome should take of itself after 80 minutes.
“As a team, we in a good space. I think if we stick to our structures, stick to our plans and keep applying pressure on them, we’ll get the result we want on Saturday.”
Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Kelly Mpeku, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Tapiwa Mafura; 10 Bronson Mills, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman (capt); 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Tiaan Wessels, 21 Luca Ribbens, 22 Layton Horn, 23 Zander du Plessis.
DHL Western Province starting XV: 15 Luke Burger, 14 JC Mars, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage; 8 Divan Fuller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 CJ Velleman; 5 Handre Stassen, 4 Andre Goedhals; 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni (capt), 1 Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Corne Weilbach, 19 Enos Ndiao, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 23 Joshua Boulle.
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