The Emirates Lions continue their EPCR Challenge Cup journey when they take on French outfit Stade Francais this Saturday at the Stade Jean Bouin stadium in Paris at 15:00 (SA Time). Undefeated in the competition, the team from Ellis Park will look to improve their recent run of results with a positive outcome against the Pink Army.
Sevens recruit JC Pretorius will have his first bite of international 15-man rugby for the franchise off the bench alongside former Paarl Boys pupil Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Jaco Kriel returns to the starting line-up, with Gianni Lombard taking over from Jordan Hendrikse who suffered an ankle niggle last week against Munster.
Emirates Lions: 1. JP Smith, 2. PJ Botha, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4. Willem Alberts, 5. Darrien Landsberg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 7. Emile van Heerden, 8. Emmanuel Tshituka, 9. Morne van den Berg, 10. Gianni Lombard, 11. Edwill van der Merwe, 12. Marius Louw (c), 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Quan Horn, 15. Andries Coetzee. Replacements: 16. Michael van Vuuren, 17. Rhynardt Rijnsburger, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Ruhan Straeuli, 20. Sibusiso Sangweni, 21. JC Pretorius, 22. Andre Warner, 23. Manuel Rass.
