World Junior Player of the year Haashim Pead finally gets the chance to start a game after being included in the Lions side for their EPCR Challenge Cup match against Perpignan on Saturday.
Pead, who excelled for the Junior Boks as they swept to the Junior World Championship last year, has been treated with kid gloves by the Lions, getting snippets of play before he finally was given two bouts of 15 minutes each in the Lions’ last two games.
In the match against the Sharks he showed his worth by scoring the winning try at the death to give the Lions a win, and then followed it up with an excellent cameo against Lyon last weekend.
The match against Perpignan is a tough one for the Lions, who need to win to stand any chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 and currently stand with one win and two losses from their three pool games thus far
A bonus-point win for the Johannesburg franchise would boost their chances of entering the Round of 16 of the European competition.
Speaking ahead of Saturday, Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen will be looking for a more polished performance from last week despite beating Lyon 42-33 at Ellis Park.
“Coming off the weekend win, in the review we still felt we were sloppy at times, turning the ball over too much. To get a win that kept us alive in the competition was still a highlight.”
“We have an opportunity this weekend to stay in the competition. A result against Perpignan is a great opportunity. We don’t want to leave it to other teams and points difference. We want to get into the round of 16.”
While Pead starting is the headline, a return to the starting line-up for Henco van Wyk in the midfield and Eduan Keyter on the wing is also on the cards. Etienne Oosthuizen returns at lock for the Lions.
KICK-OFF AT STADE AIME GIRAL IS AT 7:30pm (SA TIME)
LIONS TEAM V PERPIGNAN
1. Eddie Davids
2. Morne Brandon
3. RF Schoeman
4. Etienne Oosthuizen
5. Reinhard Nothnagel
6. Renzo du Plessis
7. Batho Hlekani
8. Francke Horn (c)
9. Haashim Pead
10. Chris Smith
11. Angelo Davids
12. Henco van Wyk
13. Erich Cronje
14. Eduan Keyter
15. Quan Horn
REPLACEMENTS
16. Franco Marais
17. SJ Kotze
18. Conraad van Vuuren
19. Ruben Schoeman
20. Darrien Landsberg
21. Siba Mahashe
22. Nico Steyn
23. Bronson Mills