The Lions will be looking to end their overseas tour on a high this Friday night at 21:45 (SA Time) when they take on the Ospreys in Round 10 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in Bridgend, Wales.
With their focus now solely on the URC, the Joburgers will set their sights on 9th-place Ospreys in what should be another thrilling encounter between the two sides, who have met five times in all competitions, with the Welsh claiming three.
Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux says, despite the current uncertainty in Welsh rugby, there is no doubt Ospreys will come out fighting as they too fight for a play-off spot in the competition.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in Welsh rugby at the moment,” he commented. “I think everybody wants to fight and put their best foot forward. They’ll be an absolutely hungry side and will want to make a statement.”
On the field, the former Springbok prop believes conditions at the Electric Brewery Field, an unfamiliar venue to the visitors, will pose interesting challenges come Friday night.
”The Ospreys understand the weather and are playing at home,” Roux said. “It’s colder, wet and windy. We haven’t played on the pitch before, so conditions are obviously more difficult and different. But they are a quality side.”
In team news, a new look front row sees SJ Kotze, PJ Botha and Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye combine in the scrum, with Ruben Schoeman the preferred starter alongside Reinhard Nothnagel in the second row.
The backline features Springbok halfback Morne van den Berg at the base of the scrum, with star centre Henco van Wyk running out for his 50th international club appearance for his franchise.
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has gone with a powerful bench, which includes bruiser Etienne Oosthuizen and turnover king Jarod Cairns, who is yet to feature on this tour. Haashim Pead and Erich Cronje complete the backline options.
Kick off at the Electric Brewery Field is at 21:45 SA time.
Lions 23 vs Ospreys
1. SJ Kotze
2. PJ Botha
3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye
4. Ruben Schoeman
5. Reinhard Nothnagel
6. Renzo du Plessis
7. Batho Hlekani
8. Francke Horn (c)
9. Morne van den Berg
10. Chris Smith
11. Richard Kriel
12. Bronson Mills
13. Henco van Wyk
14. Angelo Davids
15. Quan Horn
Replacements
16. Morne Brandon
17. RF Schoeman
18. Conraad van Vuuren
19. Etienne Oosthuizen
20. Darrien Landsberg
21. Jarod Cairns
22. Haashim Pead
23. Erich Cronje
