The Fidelity ADT Lions have chosen close to a full URC side as they signalled their intentions ahead of their Carling Currie Cup semifinal clash against the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday afternoon.
Former SA under-20 flyhalf Kade Wolhuter returns from injury while Springboks Ruan Venter and Quan Horn return to the starting line-up to bolster the team ahead of the big game.
Captain Marius Louw, who is likely to lead the Lions into battle in the URC, will move into the inside centre role alongside Rynhardt Jonker with Jaco Visagie leading the side out onto the park.
Nico Steyn has been preferred at halfback with Sanele Nohamba, the URC Player of the season last year, on the bench, while Currie Cup find Renzo du Plessis joins Venter and Jarrod Cairns in the loose trio.
Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi is excited at the prospect of the semifinal.
“Like any other team in the competition they’ve probably hit a bit of a dip in form at a crucial stage, but that notwithstanding, they are a quality team,” he said.
“If you look at players like Kasende (Daniel), Rudolph (Jeandre), Corne Fourie - who was with us last season - they are an experienced team, so we expect them to come and tear the skin off our backs.”
Captain Jaco Visagie says the squad is quite excited at the prospect of playing in a semi-final of such a prestigious tournament in front of their home fans.
“Extremely happy to be here, the squad is excited. For most of them it’s their first semi-final in the Currie Cup so that in itself is a big milestone for them. We are incredibly happy to have made it this far into the competition.”
Fidelity ADT Lions: Quan Horn; Rabz Maxwane, Rynhardt Jonker, Marius Louw, Tapiwa Mafura; Kade Wolhuter, Nico Steyn; Jarrod Cairns, Ruan Venter, Renzo du Plessis, Darrien-Lane Landsburg, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Jaco Visagie (capt), Morgan Naude.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Juan Schoeman, Conrad van Vuuren, Raynard Roets, JC Pretorius, Siba Qoma, Sanele Nohamba, Kelly Mpeku.