The Emirates Lions will be desperate to change their fortunes after suffering five defeats in a row and only five victories in their 13 matches when they line up against Glasgow Warriors at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday at 16:10 (SA Time).
They will be wary of the fact that they will have to deliver one of their strongest performances yet to defy the odds and beat the Warriors, who recorded a crucial victory over Ulster last weekend in Glasgow.
The Johannesburgers will have to be particularly strong on the attack to find ways to breach Glasgow’s defence as they are fourth on the list of top defending sides in the competition.
Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 8.
The Emirates Lions welcome back Francke Horn at No 8 after 10 weeks on the sideline due to an ankle injury, which sees Ruan Venter move from flanker to lock in Willem Alberts's place, while Emmanuel Tshituka will start on the side of the scrum.
The only change in the backline is at scrumhalf, where Sanele Nohamba swaps with Morne vd Berg, who will start on a slightly rejigged bench.
Glasgow Warriors' Head Coach Franco Smith named his side with eleven of his first-choice players not available for selection as they were named in the Scotland team that will face France on Sunday.
Sam Johnson will make his 100th appearance for Glasgow Warriors in Johannesburg tomorrow afternoon after the centre was named in the starting XV for the club’s rescheduled United Rugby Championship clash with the Emirates Lions.
The 29-year-old has become a fixture in the midfield for both club and country since making his Glasgow Warriors debut in a 31-19 win over the Ospreys in November 2015, scoring 10 tries in Glasgow colours to date.
Johnson lines up in a starting XV showing three changes from last weekend’s 17-11 victory over Ulster, a result that propelled Franco Smith’s team into the top four of the BKT URC standings.
An unchanged front-row sees Johnny Matthews continue at hooker, packing down between Nathan McBeth, who lines up against his former team for the first time, and Argentinian international Lucio Sordoni.
Lewis Bean and Scott Cummings continue their partnership in the second row, the latter currently sitting in the league’s top five for lineout steals across the season so far.
The back-row sees Sione Vailanu shift to number eight in a combination that sees two alterations from last weekend’s victory; Ally Miller comes in at blindside to make his first appearance of the 2022/23 campaign, whilst Rory Darge is named at openside for his first outing since picking up a knee injury against Cardiff back in round two of the BKT URC.
Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie and Tom Jordan are given the nod once more in the half-backs, having each started in front of a sold-out Scotstoun last time out.
Johnson lines up at inside centre on the occasion of his 100th appearance, joining captain Stafford McDowall – himself making his 50th appearance in Glasgow colours – in the midfield for the trip to Emirates Airline Park.
After impressing in the FOSROC Super6 since its inception, Eli Caven will make his professional debut for Glasgow Warriors after being named on the wing, the Ayrshire Bulls standout joining Cole Forbes and Josh McKay in the back-three.
Allan Dell could also make his club debut after the Scotland prop was named amongst the replacements for tomorrow afternoon’s match, having recovered from a calf injury sustained in pre-season to take his place in the matchday 23 for the first time.
Angus Fraser is in line for his first BKT URC appearance should he come on to the field, as Scotland tight-head Simon Berghan completes the front-row cover.
JP du Preez is another returning to his former stamping ground as the South African wears the number 19 jersey, with Euan Ferrie retaining his place in the matchday 23.
Thomas Gordon rotates to the bench after starting last Friday night in a six-two split of forwards and backs, with Sean Kennedy and Duncan Weir covering the back line.
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill vd Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Rynhardt Rijnsburger, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Morne vd Berg, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Glasgow Warriors: 15. Josh McKay, 14. Cole Forbes, 13. Stafford McDowall, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Eli Caven, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Jamie Dobie, 8. Sione Vailanu, 7. Rory Darge, 6. Ally Miller, 5. Scott Cummings, 4. Lewis Bean, 3. Lucio Sordoni, 2. Johnny Matthews, 1. Nathan McBeth. Replacements: 16. Angus Fraser, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Simon Berghan, 19. JP du Preez, 20. Euan Ferrie, 21. Thomas Gordon, 22. Sean Kennedy, 23. Duncan Weir.
