Steyn to lead young Lions side against Ospreys

Utility back Nico Steyn will lead out the Emirates Lions in their opening EPCR Challenge Cup match against the Ospreys on Sunday.

Steyn, who can play 9 and 10, starts at scrumhalf, and will partner impressive youngster Sam Francis in the game, who makes his international club debut for the Lions after impressing in the under-20 and Currie Cup competitions.

In other changes Darrien Landsberg returns from injury to partner Etienne Oosthuizen in the engine room while Junior Springbok SJ Kotze is also in line for his international debut from the bench if he gets onto the field.

The Lions have chosen a second string side for the outing, after sending a dozen players home after their loss in their URC tour match against Munster last weekend.

Interestingly the names of Sanele Nohamba, last season’s URC player of the season and Marius Louw, who captained the team last year, are on the bench.

EMIRATES LIONS: Tapiwa Mafura; Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Rynhardt Jonker, Rabz Maxwane; Sam Francis, Nico Steyn (Captain); WJ Steenkamp, Izak Esterhuizen, JC Pretorius, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, Etienne Oosthuizen, Conraad van Vuuren, Franco Marais, Morgan Naude.

REPLACEMENTS: Jaco Visagie, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, Ruhan Straeuli, Sanele Nohamba, Marius Louw.