Van der Merwe unleashed for Lions

The Emirates Lions will unleash their new recruit Edwill van der Merwe in Sunday’s Round six Vodacom United Rugby Championship game against Cardiff at Emirates Airline Park.

The Lions will be looking for their second win in the competition and with Van der Merwe joining them from the DHL Stormers, they will at least have some blistering pace in the backline on either wing, with try-machine Rabs Maxwane also on the outside.

Van der Merwe sparked comparisons with Cheslin Kolbe for his fleet-footed ability to beat defenders and the Lions will be hoping he produces more of this for them this season.

The side also sees the return of Springbok Willem Alberts and utility back Tiaan Swanepoel from long term injuries and will make their return from the bench, but another returnee - flyhalf Eddie Fouche - is noticeably absent from the match day 23 despite training with the side this week. Fred Zeilinga gets the nod, while Matt More is on the bench as cover.

“It’s good to be back home. We’ve put in solid training sessions on and off the field over the past three weeks and the guys are looking in great shape and quite excited to play at home,” Van Rooyen said in naming his side.

“Our focus this weekend is to achieve a positive result by executing on the plans we have set out for ourselves as a squad and most importantly improving on the gains we achieved overseas in certain areas,” he added.

Van Rooyen was happy with the progress of injured squad members upon the team's return from the UK.

“We are extremely pleased to have a majority fit squad to select from for the first home fixture.”

“Willem and Tiaan missed out on the first four games of our northern hemisphere campaign, so they’ll be raring to go should they get an opportunity,” explains van Rooyen.

Cardiff have travelled to South Africa with several of their Welsh internationals that played in the November internationals.

Emirates Lions: EW Viljoen, Rabs Maxwane, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal (capt), Edwill van der Merwe; Fred Zeilinga, Andre Warner, Francke Horn. Vincent Tshituka, Jaco Kriel, Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruben Schoeman, Carlu Sadie, Jaco Visagie, Sti Sithole.

Replacements:PJ Botha, Morgan Naude, Ruan Dreyer, Willem Alberts, Ruhan Straeuli, Morne van den Berg, Matt More, Tiaan Swanepoel.