Pretorius returns for Sharks battle

Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has included star poacher JC Pretorius ahead of his side’s Round 12 clash with the Hollywoodbets Sharks (2.30pm kick-off) at Emirates Airline Park, while Manuel Rass and Tapiwa Mafura start at outside centre and fullback respectively.

There is also a change in the second row that sees Ruben Schoeman return after serving his suspension while centre Rynhardt Jonker returns on the bench.

Young stars Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn have both been ruled out due to injury.

Etienne Oosthuizen, Reinhard Nothnagel, Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje and Raynard Roets were also unavailable for selection due to injury.

Saturday will see both teams play in the school/club socks in celebration of Origins Round.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will run trains from Park Station to Ellis Park Station for this Saturday’s game. The trains will run every 15 minutes from 11am. The last train from Ellis Park Station to park Station is at 6.45pm.

Fans are encouraged to hop onto the Gautrain or use e-hailing services to get to Park Station. The last Gautrain departs Park Station at 8.30pm.

The return train fare will cost R20. Tickets available on ticketpros.co.za or at the Park Station ticket kiosk.

Emirates Lions starting XV: 15 Tapiwa Mafura (Hoërskool Ermelo), 14 Richard Kriel (Grey College), 13 Manuel Rass (Paarl Boys’ High), 12 Marius Louw (Grey College), 11 Edwill van der Merwe (Paul Roos Gymnasium); 10 Gianni Lombard (Paarl Boys' High), 9 Morne van den Berg (Hoёrskool Linden); 8 Francke Horn (capt) (Paarl Boys' High), 7 Ruan Venter (Paarl Boys' High), 6 JC Pretorius (HTS Middelburg); 5 Darrien Landsberg (Northcliff High School), 4 Ruben Schoeman (Grey College); 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (St Stithians College), 2 PJ Botha (Hoёrskool Monument), 1 Juan Schoeman (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool). Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie (Augsburg Agricultural Gymnasium), 17 SJ Kotze (Paarl Boys’ High), 18 RF Schoeman (Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer), 19 Ruan Delport (Hoërskool Garsfontein), 20 Siba Qoma (Westville Boys), 21 Nico Steyn (Glenwood High School), 22 Jarod Cairns (Paul Roos Gymnasium), 23 Rynardt Jonker (Glenwood High School).

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Jordan Hendrikse (Glenwood Boys High School), 14 Yaw Penxe (Queens College Boys High School), 13 Jurenzo Julius (Paul Roos Gimnasium), 12 Lukhanyo Am (De Vos Malan High School), 11 Ethan Hooker (Westville Boys High); 10 Siya Masuku (Piet Retief High School), 9 Jaden Hendrikse (Glenwood Boys High School); 8 Phepsi Buthelezi (Durban High School), 7 Vincent Tshituka (capt) (Northcliff High School), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere (Churchill Boys); 5 Jason Jenkins (St Albans College), 4 Deon Slabbert (Westville Boys High School); 3 Ruan Dreyer (Monument High School), 2 Bongi Mbonambi (St Albans College), 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu (Martitzburg College). Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester (Hilton College), 17 Dian Bleuler (Oakdale Landbou), 18 Vincent Koch (Huguenot High School), 19 Lappies Labuschagne (Maritzburg College), 20 Siya Kolisi (Grey High School), 21 Grant Williams (Paarl Gimnasium), 22 Francois Venter (Grey College), 23 Eduan Keyter (Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool).