Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made four changes to his team for Saturday’s sixth Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in Limerick.
From the team that lost 24-6 to Leinster in the game before the November international break, there has also been a change of captain, with Marius Louw returning to the inside centre position for Rynhardt Jonker. Erich Cronje is the back-up centre so Jonker drops out the squad completely.
The big news among the changes is probably WJ Steenkamp’s selection at blindside flank. It will be Steenkamp’s first appearance for the Lions since the 24-year-old product of the Grey College rugby factory in Bloemfontein crossed the Jukskei River to join the Lions in the off-season.
Your matchday 23 to face Munster. Let’s do this #ForOurCity@vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/gvlhRC62lX
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 29, 2024
He takes the No 7 jersey from Jarod Cairns, who moves from blindside flank to openside, with JC Pretorius dropping to the bench. Another player who faced Leinster in a starting position who will be on the bench this time is Reinhard Nothnagel, who was the second row partner for Ruben Schoeman last time out. Ruan Delport comes in as his replacement as the starting No 5 lock.
The Lions did not contribute any players to the Bok tour in November so have good continuity both in selection and in terms of this team having been able to train together for the past few weeks in preparation for the Munster game.
The Lions have had an impressive start to the season, with their current fourth position being light years different to where they have been on the log at corresponding stages of previous URC seasons and with Munster missing some players to Ireland international duty they should go into the game confident of notching what could be a significant win for them.
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe, Kade Wolhuter, Morne van der Merwe, Francke Horn, WJ Steenkamp, Jarod Cairns, Ruan Delport, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: Franco Marais, Morgan Naude, Conraad van Vuuren, Reihard Nothnagel, JC Pretorius, Tapiwe Mafura, Erich Cronje.