The Lions will host Benetton today in Round 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Ellis Park in Johannesburg at 15:00 (SA Time). The match is expected to be a close contest, with the Lions looking to avenge recent United Rugby Championship (URC) losses to the Italian side.
Two months ago, Benetton beat the Lions in Italy in the Vodacom URC, while the Italians also won the corresponding fixture in Johannesburg last year, but this time around, the hosts will go into the clash with momentum, having secured three consecutive URC wins since their last defeat to Benetton two months ago in Treviso.
The Lions have been bolstered by the return of Springboks scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who will both start.
The Lions' scrum was a key factor in their recent win over the Bulls, and they anticipate another strong challenge from Benetton's experienced front row. The match is seen as crucial for the Lions' hopes of hosting a knockout game in the competition.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Edward Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Richard Kriel, 23 Gianni Lombard.
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Alessandro Izekor, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Manuel Zuliani, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 21 Riccardo Favretto, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Tomas Albornoz.