The Fidelity Securedrive Lions have been forced to make a few changes to the side that smashed Edinburgh last weekend for Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons at Ellis Park.
Springbok Morne van den Berg, who celebrated 100 caps for the franchise last weekend, has had to be withdrawn after suffering a leg injury in the win over Edinburgh. The setback is a blow because Van den Berg has been a driving force for the Lions and he will now be replaced by Nico Steyn, who comes into the starting line-up with Haashim Pead on the bench.
The other big loss is the news that prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, one of the Lions’ four Springboks, has had to withdraw because of the SAIDS hearing this weekend on his use of a prohibited substance. Ntlabakanye was using a weight loss drug under the supervision of a medical professional when he was tested positive and can face a ban of up to four years. His hearing is this weekend.
Ntlabakanye will be replaced by the promising youngster RF Schoeman, who has been training with the side the entire week after Ntlabakanye was forced to withdraw due to the hearing.
Lock Etienne Oosthuizen also returns to the starting line-up after a short illness, and is part of a new lock partnership with Reinhard Nothnagel, who replaces Darrien Landsberg in the starting line-up.
Francke Horn will continue to captain the side as they look for their fourth win in a row. They have met the Dragons four times in the URC and the Lions have never lost in these encounters.
Fidelity Securedrive Lions: Quan Horn; Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Erich Cronje; Chris Smith, Nico Steyn; Francke Horn (captain), Ruan Venter, Siba Mahashe, Reinhard Nothnagel, Etienne Oosthuizen, RF Schoeman, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Eddie Davids, Sebastian Lombard, Ruan Delport, Batho Hlekani, Renzo du Plessis, Haashim Pead, Richard Kriel.