Rising star Francke Horn will lead the Emirates Lions into their opening battle against Irish province Ulster as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship kicks off in style on Saturday.
Horn, who was one of the team’s standout players last season, will be looking to build on the form that made him a crowd favourite and give the Joburg side a perfect start against tough opposition.
Ulster shocked champions Glasgow Warriors last weekend in their opening game, scoring at the death to pull off a remarkable victory and will want another scalp this weekend in the Joburg heat.
Lock Reinhard Nothnagel will bring up a half century of games for the Lions when he runs out on Saturday with six more players making their URC debuts for the franchise.
Horn will lead the side in the absence of Marius Louw, who was injured in the Currie Cup final while Kade Wolhuter will start at flyhalf in what amounts to his first URC start.
The other players on debut for the Lions are new signings Tapiwa Mafura, Franco Marais, Juan Schoeman and Siba Qoma.
The find of the Currie Cup, flanker Renzo du Plessis, gets his first start in the intercontinental competition.
Also of interest - South African A midfielder Henco van Wyk, who missed the most of last season because of injury, has been included in the match day 23 to start his comeback to top class action.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen said the good form the side showed in the Currie Cup needs to be continued into the URC.
“It’s important for us to keep the momentum. We were happy with the momentum we took into the recent Currie Cup campaign and it’s important for us to maintain that going into this year’s URC season.
“As a group we are really excited about the upcoming URC. There’s a great vibe and energy within the squad. We have six URC debutants featuring this weekend consisting of a combination of new signings and guys from the recent Currie Cup.
“Ultimately, it’s important for us to start well at home this weekend against an Ulster team who beat the defending champions last weekend. We know they’ll arrive ready to go so we’ll be up for it,” Van Rooyen said.
Kick-off is at 12:55
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Rynhard Jonker, Tapiwa Mafura; Kade Wolhuter, Sanele Nohamba; Francke Horn, Ruan Venter, Jarod Cairns, Darrien Landsberg, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, Morgan Naude.
Replacements: Franco Marais, Juan Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Ruben Schoeman, Siba Qoma, Renzo du Plessis, Nico Steyn, Henco van Wyk.