Lions scrumhalf Morné van den Berg will miss Saturday's visit of the Dragons after injuring his leg in the win against Edinburgh.
Image: BackpapePix
Injury and a doping hearing have robbed the Lions of two of their Springbok stars for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Dragons at Ellis Park (4.30pm kickoff).
Bok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg sustained a leg injury in last weekend's emphatic 54-17 victory over Edinburgh, with Nico Steyn stepping into the No 9 jersey. Rising star Haashim Pead provides scrumhalf cover on the bench.
Springbok tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is also unavailable due to an ongoing SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) hearing, handing young No 3 RF Schoeman another starting opportunity.
In the second row, Etienne Oosthuizen returns from illness to partner Reinhard Nothnagel, who comes in for Darrien Landsberg in the No 5 jersey.
Captain Francke Horn once again leads the side from No 8 in a pack that will look to assert their dominance against the Welsh visitors.
The bench offers a blend of impact and youth, with Sebastian Lombard, Ruan Delport and powerful young blindside flank Batho Hlekani included among the replacement forwards. Richard Kriel provides backline cover alongside Pead.
Lions team to face the Dragons: 1. SJ Kotzé, 2. PJ Botha, 3. RF Schoeman, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 6. Siba Mahashe, 7. Ruan Venter, 8. Francke Horn (captain), 9. Nico Steyn, 10. Chris Smith, 11. Erich Cronje, 12. Bronson Mills, 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Angelo Davids, 15. Quan Horn.
Replacements: 16. Morne Brandon, 17. Eddie Davidsa, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Ruan Delport, 20. Batho Hlekani, 21. Renzo du Plessis, 22. Haashim Pead, 23. Richard Kriel.