It's URC playoffs or bust for focused Lions as they line up Ospreys in tour finale

The Lions’ demise in the Challenge Cup has at least given them clarity of purpose for the remainder of the season, and to that end, they have picked their strongest possible side for Friday’s United Rugby Championship encounter with the Ospreys in Bridgend.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen held back a few senior stars for last week’s Challenge Cup match against Perpignan. The 20-20 draw was hard-fought, but the two points were not enough for the Joburgers to advance to the Round of 16.

Now it is all about the URC and making the playoffs for the first time in Lions history. The Lions will empty the tank against the Ospreys in a bid to end their tour on a high and build on their current position of seventh on the URC points table.

The Ospreys are in 9th place, just outside the coveted top eight that guarantees playoff positions. They are desperate not only to break into the playoff space, but as Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux points out, the Welsh teams have more than just rugby riding on their games.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty in Welsh rugby at the moment (around imminent restructuring),” Roux commented. “Their teams want to fight and put their best foot forward. The Ospreys will be an absolutely hungry side and want to make a statement.”

On the field, the former Springbok prop believes conditions at the Electric Brewery Field, an unfamiliar venue to the visitors, will pose interesting challenges come Friday night.

”The Ospreys understand the weather and are playing at home,” Roux said. “It’s colder, wet, and windy. We haven’t played on the pitch before, so conditions are obviously more difficult and different. But they are a quality side.”

In team news, a new look front row sees SJ Kotze, PJ Botha, and Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye combine in the scrum, with Ruben Schoeman the preferred starter alongside Reinhard Nothnagel in the second row.

The backline features Springbok halfback Morne van den Berg at the base of the scrum, with star centre Henco van Wyk running out for his 50th international club appearance for his franchise.

Van Rooyen has opted for a powerful bench, which includes bruiser Etienne Oosthuizen and turnover king Jarod Cairns, who is yet to feature on this tour.

Haashim Pead and Erich Cronje complete the backline options.

Kick off at the Electric Brewery Field is at 9:45pm SA time.

Lions team for Ospreys

15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.

Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Jarod Cairns, 22 Hassiem Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.

Not considered because of injury

Juan Schoeman, Morgan Naude, Stian de Bruyn, Tiaan Wessels, Layton Horn, Izn Esterhuizen, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, Marno Grobbelaar, Franco Marais.