The Lions have introduced the return of Willem ‘The Bone Collector’ Alberts to the beginning XV as they tackle Irish giants Ulster of their United Rugby Championship (URC) match at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2pm).
The skilled Springbok returns to the squad after a prolonged time on the sidelines and combines with captain Reinhard Nothnagel within the lock place.
Other adjustments see Jaco Visagie and Emmanuel Tshituka begin at hooker and flank respectively in rotational adjustments with PJ Botha and Sibusiso Sangweni.
Amongst the backs, speedster Edwill van der Merwe returns on the wing after serving his necessary concussion protocol put up his staff’s second tour match in opposition to Cardiff two weeks in the past.
‘A challenging encounter’
Skipper Nothnagel cautions that on this competitors, one can by no means underestimate the opposition – such is the standard of rugby being performed presently.
“Ulster is a top side and have a good track record in the competition. It will certainly be a challenging encounter for us. In saying that, they are a team who tour very well so that’s something we are taking into consideration as well,” stated Nothnagel.
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“As a team we are quite confident especially coming off what we believe was a successful tour. One of the biggest learnings for us as a team is that you must expect anything from any team in this campaign,” the skipper added.
“We look forward to playing at the Park again in front of our home fans on Saturday for what is going to a great day of rugby.”
Lions staff
Andries Coetzee, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, Quan Horn, Gianni Lombard, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Ruan Venter, Emmanuel Tshituka, Reinhard Nothnagel, Willem Alberts, Ruan Dreyer, Jaco Visagie, JP Smith
Bench: PJ Botha, Sti Sithole, Ruan Smith, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Sibusiso Sangweni, Morne van den Berg, Jordan Hendrikse, Zander du Plessis
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