The Emirates Lions have returned their “bone collector” to the starting line-up ahead of their European Challenge Cup outing against French giants Stade Francais in Johannesburg on Friday night.
Willem Alberts makes a welcome return and will face the team he played for over five years before he returned to South Africa.
Alberts will partner Pieter Jansen van Vuren as the Lions rotate a bit for the clash while Henco van Wyk returns from suspension and Quan Horn slots into the left wing position for Rabs Maxwane.
Emirates Lions to face French visitors this Friday evening at The Park.#ChallengeCupRugby #LionsPride?? pic.twitter.com/DQHAeUakwv
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) December 15, 2022
Former SA under-20 and Sharks lock JJ van der Mescht will line up for Stade Francais as the teams do battle for the first time.
The Lions drew their opening game against Dragons 31-all last week while Stade Francais won their opener against Italian side Benetton 24-14.
The match kicks off at 7pm.
Emirates Lions:Andries Coetzee, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, Quan Horn; Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba; Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruan Venter, Jaco Kriel (captain), Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Willem Alberts, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Jaco Visagie, JP Smith.
Replacements:Michael van Vuuren, Sti Sithole, Ruan Smith, Reinhard Nothnagel, Darrian Landsberg, Sibusiso Sangweni, Andre Warner, Rynhardt Jonker.
Stade Francais:Leo Monin; Nadie Megdoud, Paolo Odogwu, Theo Dachary, Harry Glover; Leo Barre, James Hall; Juan Martin Scelzo, Mathieu Hirigoyen, Giorgi Tsutkiridze, JJ van der Mescht, Nathan Huguen, Giorgi Melikidze, Lauren Panis (captain), Vasil Kakovin.
Replacements:Lucas Peyresblanques, Sergo Abramishvili, Paul Alo Emile, Noa Kanika, Arthur, Coville, Alex Arrate, Ferdinand Dreno, Moses Alo Emile.
Referee:Karl Dickson (England)
AR1: Matthew Carley (England)
AR2: Sara Cox (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)