Van den Berg, Pretorius back for the Lions

The Fidelity SecureDrive Lions will welcome former URC champions Glasgow Warriors to Ellis Park this Saturday as the Race to the Eight heats up in Round 15 of the competition. Kick-off in Johannesburg is at 4pm.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen and his side go into the encounter in confident form, currently enjoying a four‑match winning streak in what has been a stellar run for the men in red. The Lions have also had the upper hand over the Scots in their last two clashes at Ellis Park but with just four rounds remaining in the regular season, the stakes could not be higher.

Saturday’s clash promises to be a solid test for the current SA Shield holders as the competition intensifies at the business end of the campaign, with both teams firmly eyeing a play-off spot

Good news for Lions fans will be the return of scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who slots back into the match day squad following the injury he sustained in the victory over Edinburgh. In the midfield, Richard Kriel starts at inside centre after Bronson Mills was ruled out through injury. Kriel, usually operating on the wing, brings an element of intrigue and skill to the backline as the Lions look to maintain momentum against one of the competition’s most exciting attacking sides.

Another welcome return will be that of star loose forward JC Pretorius, who has been named among the replacements. Known for his ball-snatching exploits, the former Blitzbok recently announced his commitment to the franchise.

Speaking earlier this week, captain Francke Horn says the group is not looking too far ahead in terms of play-offs, with the focus firmly fixed of Franco Smith’s Glasgow.

“We’ve put ourselves in this position and we’re all really looking forward to the next two matches at home as it could put us exactly where we want to be when the play-offs come around.”

“The idea of taking it game by game really rings true for us,” Horn emphasized. “You can get caught up thinking too far ahead and then your focus slips.”

“We know where we want to be after these two matches but it starts with Glasgow. That’s our priority,” he concluded.

Smith said: “The Lions pose one of the toughest away tests in the URC, defending a strong home record as they chase a place in the play-offs.

“Their brand of rugby can cause problems for any team, with a blend of physical forwards and backs that can run the ball from anywhere on the field.

“It is a test that we have prepared for in training this week and one that we know we must be at our best to meet.”

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe; 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Kelly Mpeku.

SATURDAY

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions v Glasgow Warriors

Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA

Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU, 14th league game)

AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Dylen November (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

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