The Emirates Lions will host the Ospreys on Sunday at the Airline Emirates Park on Sunday at 15:00 (SA Time).
The Emirates Lions have their sights set firmly on a victory against Ospreys at Emirates Airline Park following their defeat against Montpellier last week. The Gauteng team have the peace of mind that they have already qualified for the Round of 16, but winning momentum will be vital to give them a handy nudge going into the playoff stages.
A five-pointer and a win with more than 13 points will secure a home match in the Round of 16 fixture for the Emirates Lions.
With both teams tied on nine log points with two victories in their three matches, and Ospreys having won only one match more than the Emirates Lions in the Vodacom URC, it could be a spectacle.
The hosts, however, boast a better attacking record in the Vodacom URC than the Ospreys, which is something they will want to take advantage of on Sunday.
The Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named talented pivot Kade Wolhuter is his match 23 which also sees the return of Springbok Ruan Dreyer after recovering from a wrist injury. Also returning to the side is scrumhalf Morne van den after completing his concussion protocol for a possible appearance from the bench.
Sanele Nohamba starts at halfback for Sunday’s clash alongside Gianni Lombard, which sees a new 9/10 pairing for the men from Doornfontein.
Speaking ahead of Sunday, Ivan 'Cash’ van Rooyen was wary of the tough weeks ahead for his side in all international competitions but backed his rotation policy which sees players being rewarded for stellar performances.
“Ospreys have been going really well. Their attack is very good and their defence is probably the most improved in the competition, he praised.
“We really want to put in a big performance especially here at home. Looking at our roster in the next few weeks and the number of tough games coming up, it’s important for us to put up a good performance this week heading into a packed schedule of local URC derbies.”
“Due to the performances last week in France, there are one or two rewards in the match 23 ahead of Sunday’s game for some good performances and opportunities for those players to have another crack against Ospreys,” he concluded.
The Ospreys have named their squad to face the Emirates Lions. Adam Beard will captain the side.
Rhys Henry starts at loosehead, with Sam Parry lining up at hooker and Tom Botha completing the front three.
James Ratti partners with Adam Beard at lock. Will Hickey lines up at six, with Harri Deaves on the other flank and Morgan Morse starting at eight
Reuben Morgan-Williams gets the start at scrum half, with Dan Edwards partnering him at 10. Owen Watkin starts with George North in the centres.
In the back three, Iestyn Hopkins starts at full back, with Keelan Giles on one wing and Mat Protheroe on the other.
Prop Cameron Jones takes up a place on the bench and could be in line to make his first appearance for the Ospreys.
Teams:
Emirates Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (c, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith. Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Kade Wolhuter, 23 Erich Cronje.
Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Mat Protheroe, 13 George North, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 Will Hickey, 5 Adam Beard (c), 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Rhys Henry. Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Cam Jones, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Lewis Jones, 20 Tristan Davies, 21 Cameron Jones, 22 Jack Walsh, 23 Keiran Williams.