The Emirates Lions received a significant boost ahead of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the defending champion DHL Stormers when SA A midfielder Henco van Wyk was declared fit to play.
Van Wyk is one of a handful of interesting selections ahead of Saturday’s game, where the Stormers will look to go unbeaten for the entire calendar year.
In the absence of Reinhard Nothnagel, who injured his ankle against the Sharks last weekend, Marius Louw will lead the side and resume his partnership with Van Wyk as they look to counter the impressive Stormers’ attack.
Rabz Maxwane is back in the starting lineup as a replacement for Steam Pienaar while Jarod Cairns comes into the openside flank position.
On the bench, both Morne van der Berg and Mannie Rass return to the match 23 for the first time in a while.
The Lions will be looking for their first win against a South African franchise since beating the Stormers in December 2021 but if they do it will be seen as a massive upset against a Stormers team brimming with confidence.
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn; Rabz Maxwane, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe; Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba; Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruan Venter, Jarod Cairns, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Willem Alberts, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith.
Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Morgan Naude, Ruan Smith, Ruben Schoeman, Sibusiso Sangweni, Morne van der Berg, Gianni Lombard, Mannie Rass.