Still reeling from the loss of Asenathi Ntlabakanye to a devastating 18-month ban this week, the Fidelity Securedrive Lions have named a strong side to face Munster in their final league Vodacom United Rugby Championship match at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday.
Both Munster and the Lions have a chance still to make it to the top four, and both are still not sure of their places in the top eight - especially given how close the log is at the moment, so the game is a must win for both sides.
Sebastian Lombard, who recently returned from injury, starts at tighthead prop after Ntlabakanye’s ban, while Darrien Landsberg comes in for Etienne Oosthuizen in the second row.
The Lions lost Ruan Venter last weekend against Leinster in the fourth minute and with the loose forward flying home, SA under-20 star Batho Hlekani will get a start this week. Among the reserves there are call-ups for Siba Qoma, SA under-20 star Haashim Pead and RF Schoeman as the side look to get the best result they can under the circumstances.
Kelly Mpeku also comes in on the wing for Erich Cronje.
Munster Rugby have lost just twice at Thomond Park in the URC this season, to Stormers in November and to Leinster in December. And are without a win in their last five Championship clashes with South African sides since they beat the Lions, 17-10 at Thomond Park in November 2024.
The Lions six game winning run in the Vodacom URC ended with their 31-7 reversal at the hand of Leinster last weekend. Lions’ only victory in nine visits to Ireland was 38-14 over Connacht in March 2024. The two sides have met on four previous occasions with the Lions only victory coming in the inaugural clash, 23-21 at Ellis Park in March 2022.
Fidelity Securedrive Lions: Quan Horn; Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids; Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn (captain), Batho Hlekani, Siba Mahashe, Darrien Landsberg, Reinhard Nothnagel, Sebastian Lombard, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Eddie Davids, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, Haashim Pead, Rynhardt Jonker.