The Emirates Lions have bolstered their second row options after a midweek setback where they lost veteran lock Willem Alberts to injury, bringing back Ruben Schoeman and Reinhard Nothnagel for their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
Alberts injured himself in practice, hurting his pectoral muscle and it was decided not to risk him for the game. As a result, Nothnagel, who recently returned to training but the Lions were looking to give him further time and not play him this week, has been drafted into the team.
Earlier this week assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher said that Nothnagel wouldn’t be considered but it is clear the Alberts injury changed that situation
Nothnagel will be on the bench after his lengthy period on the sidelines with an ankle and wrist injury.
Ruben Schoeman starts in the four jersey after completing a three week suspension for a red card against the Dragons in round seven of the competition with Darrien-Lane Landsberg in the five jersey for the clash.
Marius Louw will lead the side into action again after the festive break where the Lions postponed both their derbies until January to allow them to mentally reset and refocus for the new year.
The last time the Lions won in Durban was in 2017 but there is a quiet confidence they have a chance of an upset against a struggling Sharks side that is still filled with a plethora of Springboks.
The match kicks off at 5pm.
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe; Sanele Nohamba, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horne, Ruan Venter, Emmanuel Tshituka, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith.
Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Morgan Naude, Ruan Smith, Reinhard Nothnagel, Hanru Sirgel, JC Pretorius, Jordan Hendrikse, Rynhardt Jonker