Lions lock Ruben Schoeman makes a welcome return to the second row for Saturday’s home United Rugby Championship clash against the Sharks (2.30pm kick-off) after serving his five-match suspension for ill-discipline.
The 28-year-old was shown a red card during his team’s defeat to the Stormers in round eight of the URC for a dangerous clear-out on Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok.
However, two other red cards for foul play in the preceding 13-month period resulted in the lengthy suspension.
With his ban lifted, Schoeman will come straight back into the Lions starting line-up in the place of Etienne Oosthuizen, partnering Darrien Landsberg.
Former Blitzboks star JC Pretorius also makes a welcome return, slotting in at openside flank in place of Jarod Cairns after sitting out the Stormers and Bulls matches.
Star centre Henco van Wyk and fullback Quan Horn have been ruled out due to injury. Their absence will be heavily felt as they have been in sparkling form for the Lions. Centre Rynhardt Jonker returns on the bench, however.
Horn reportedly hurt a toe in last week’s 31-19 loss against the Bulls in the Jukskei Derby, while Van Wyk is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Manuel Rass takes over from Van Wyk in the No 13 jersey, while Tapiwa Mafura steps into the fullback role in the place of Horn.
Lubabalo Dobela was suggested as a possible replacement for Horn, but coach Ivan van Rooyen has opted for the proven line-breaking ability of Mafura.
The 12th-placed Lions will be looking to make amends for last weekend’s 31-19 loss against the Bulls in the Jukskei Derby.
The fourth-placed Sharks stunned the Bulls 29-19 in their last URC outing two weeks ago, and will be looking to build on that.
Saturday’s encounter is followed by a repeat fixture at Kings Park down in Durban next weekend.
Lions Team
15 Tapiwa Mafura 14 Richard Kriel 13 Manuel Rass 12 Marius Louw 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Gianni Lombard 9 Morne van den Berg 8 Francke Horn (captain) 7 Ruan Venter 6 JC Pretorius 5 Darrien Landsberg 4 Ruben Schoeman 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 PJ Botha 1 Juan Schoeman.
Bench: 16 Jaco Visagie 17 SJ Kotze 18 RF Schoeman 19 Ruan Delport 20 Sibabalo Qoma 21 Nico Steyn 22 Jarod Cairns 23 Rynhardt Jonker.