Fifty up for Venter but no Van Wyk for Lions

Springbok flanker Ruan Venter will celebrate his 50th appearance for the Emirates Lions but there is no sign of midfielder Henco van Wyk in the match day 23 as the side prepare to take on defending Vodacom United Rugby Championship champions Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.

Van Wyk suffered a foot injury during last weekend’s loss to Cardiff and hasn’t sufficiently recovered to take his place on the bench, compounding a season of frustrating injuries for him.

But for Venter the milestone will be welcome as he continues to build his reputation as a fierce tackler and all round talent, and will be hoping for a massive performance to boot.

Venter is part of an unchanged starting line-up, as coach Ivan van Rooyen has kept faith in the team despite their failings against Cardiff where they dominated every statistic except the scoreboard.

Mannie Rass will continue at 13 in Van Wyk’s absence while Venter will partner again with JC Pretorius and captain Francke Horn in the loose trio.

On the bench Rynhardt Jonker comes in to replace Van Wyk as the Lions look for improved finishing this week against the champions.

Emirates Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Mannie Rass, Marius Louw, Edwill van der Merwe; Gianni Lombard, Nico Steyn; Francke Horn (captain), Ruan Venter, JC Pretorius, Darrien Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: Franco Marais, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Siba Qoma, Layton Horn, Jarod Cairns, Rynhardt Jonker.