The Lions have been boosted by the return of several stars for the Joburgers’ final Currie Cup fixture of the season against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
URC standout performer Vincent Tshituka, who is set to join the Durbanites next season, returns to the starting XV for the Lions to combine with his brother Emmanuel in the loose trio.
Fresh from Springbok Sevens duty, Jordan Hendrikse provides cover on the bench, where the talented playmaker is joined by fleet-footed centre Wandisile Simelane. Scrumhalf Andre Warner replaces Morne van den Berg on the bench.
There will also possibly be some tension and intrigue at Kings Park, with Lions No 9 Sanele Nohamba making his return to his old stomping ground.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said: “It’s our final game of the season, so naturally we are looking to walk away with a win from this one.
“We’ve had some decent momentum thus far with a victory last weekend however the Sharks are a tricky side to beat on their home turf.
“Our guys put in tough sessions this week and are determined to make it count [on Saturday].”
Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Matt More, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horne, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Francke Horn, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Subs: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Jarod Cairns, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Wandisile Simelane.
