Pretorius set to debut for Lions

Springbok Sevens star JC Pretorius will make his debut this weekend after being named on the bench for the Emirates Lions ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup match against Stade Francais in Paris.

There was also good news as Henco van Wyk recovered in time to take his 13 jersey, but Jordan Hendrikse was not as lucky after being injured against Munster last weekend.

Pretorius, who joined the Lions after the Cape Town Sevens, is one of two players who could make their debut on Saturday, the other being Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Rijnsburger is highly rated, but still young, and the Boishaai old boy will be tested in the scrum this weekend.

Jaco Kriel returns to the number six jersey with Ruan Venter missing out because of an injury and Darrian Landsberg and Willem Alberts covering the second row. Alberts will be up against his former club where he made 79 appearances for the Paris side.

Gianni Lombard comes in at flyhalf for the injured Hendrikse, while Andries Coetzee is back at fullback with Quan Horn moving to wing in the place of Stean Pienaar.

The Lions are well placed in the Challenge Cup after drawing their game against the Dragons and winning against Stade Francais at Emirates Airline Park last month.

The game kicks off at 3pm.

Emirates Lions: Andries Coetzee; Quan Horn, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe; Gianni Lombard, Morne van den Berg; Emmanuel Tshituka, Emile van Heerden, Jaco Kriel, Darrian Landsberg, Willem Alberts, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith.

Replacements: Michael van Vuuren, Rynhardt Rijnsburger, Ruan Smith, JC Pretorius, Sibusiso Sangweni, Ruhan Straeuli, Andre Warner, Mannie Rass