The Lions will have Henco van Wyk in their ranks for their URC quarter-final against Leinster.
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The Lions have enjoyed a multiple injury boost, with key players cleared to play in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday night (9pm).
Crucially, skipper Francke Horne and combative centre Henco van Wyk have recovered from the injuries they sustained in the final URC pool game against Munster a fortnight ago.
The inspirational Horne is a major cog in the Lions’ machinery, and his form in the URC was recently rewarded with an invitation to the Springbok alignment camp. Van Wyk was also invited to the same camp.
Former Blitzbok star JC Pretorius makes his 50th appearance in international competition as the Lions make history in their first-ever playoff fixture since joining the tournament back in 2021.
Scrum-half Nico Steyn starts in place of the injured Morne van den Berg, who is recovering from biceps surgery, while Erich Cronje returns to the left wing after missing out against Munster. Experienced hooker Franco Marais returns to the fold as an impact player alongside Rynhardt Jonker and Haashim Pead.
With Leinster’s heavy defeat in the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Bègles last week still fresh in the mind, Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys believes the Irish giants remain a quality outfit that will be highly determined to make amends.
But the former Springbok prop simplified the approach for what is expected to be a physical encounter in the Irish capital.
“The team that goes forward when contact takes place has a better chance, whether it’s attack, defence or set piece,” he said.
“We know what we want to achieve this weekend, and we believe if we get that right, it will give us a good chance,” he concluded.
Lions team for Leinster
15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Haashim Pead.