Head coach Ivan Rooyen has selected Junior Springbok duo Ruan Venter and Quan Horn in the Lions starting lineup for Friday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Leinster at the RDS Arena.
The two, who have been impressive across junior and senior provincial competitions in the past year, will line up in a match-day 23 which has centre Wandisile Simelane and Jordan Hendrikse returning to the starting XV.
In the backline, Horn takes over from EW Viljoen at fullback, Simelane replaces Manuel Rass at outside centre, Hendrikse starts at flyhalf in place of Tiaan Swanepoel and Morne van den Berg cracks the nod at scrumhalf at the expense of Andre Warner.
Up front, Venter – who was still a scholar last year – starts at openside flank in the absence of Vincent Tshituka. PJ Steenkamp is brought into the side at No 4 lock and, in the front row, Jaco Visagie and Sti Sithole are the preferred hooker and loosehead prop, respectively.
Elsewhere, Lunga Ncube and Nico Steyn are in line to make their competition debuts.
“We’re excited to see how Ruan and Quan go tomorrow. It’s an extended opportunity for them to immerse themselves into our system and ultimately express their talent on the big stage,” said Van Rooyen.
“Touring is always a great opportunity for the guys to strengthen bonds and build on our character, which bodes well for team culture and ultimately on-field synergy.
“In terms of our approach tomorrow night, the catalyst for us will be the ability to adapt our style of play and our decision-making at key moments during the game,” said Van Rooyen.
Van Rooyen is optimistic about their set-piece play despite the challenges at lock, with a considerable amount of his jumpers out due to injury.
“The focus will be ensuring we get accurate lineout ball to create a platform for us to launch our attack and hold on to possession for as long as we can. Leinster is a side that thrives on getting their hands on the ball,” he concluded.
Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7, Ruan Venter, 6 Jaco Kriel (c), 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Lunga Ncube, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
