Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The Emirates Lions and the DHL Stormers meet @ 13h30 tomorrow in Johannesburg with both sides still seeking their first win of the 2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup.
The Emirates Lions, with a new captain in Burger Odendaal this week, will be keen to turn their fortunes around after losing their last three matches. Their last victory was over the Cell C Sharks in their 2021 Kick-Off Pools clash in Johannesburg in March, but they suffered a 44-12 defeat a week later in Cape Town.
Ivan van Rooyen’s team will be buoyed by their recent record at Emirates Airline Park though, having won four in a row in all tournaments since losing to the Vodacom Bulls in Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked in November.
The Emirates Lions made two changes at the back. Burger Odendaal replaces Dan Kriel at inside centre as well as captain while at flyhalf Joran Hendrikse takes over from Fred Zeilanga who drops to the bench.
In the only change up front PJ Both is replaced by Jaco Visagie.
Van Rooyen said: “We look forward to playing our first home game of the competition. The players have all worked hard and we look forward to a great clash.”
The DHL Stormers have won 14 of their 21 meetings with the Emirates Lions but won only two of their previous six visits to Johannesburg.
There are two changes in the backline and two in the forward pack. Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies returns from injury in place of the injured Godlen Masimla, while Edwill van der Merwe is on the wing, having played off the replacements bench last week.
Willie Engelbrecht is at blindside flank in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is being rested this week, while Ernst van Rhyn is at lock with Marvin Orie ruled out due to concussion protocols.
Prop Ali Vermaak, loose forward Juarno Augustus and flyhalf Tim Swiel have all been named among the replacements on their return from injury.
“We want to show that we are capable of delivering an 80-minute performance and this is a great opportunity to do so," said DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson when naming a team with four changes from last week.
“The team has trained well this week and we are determined to put together a cohesive effort to get the result that we need."
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen; 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (captain), 11. Courtnall Skosan; 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. André Warner; 8. Francke Horn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. MJ Pelser, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Ruan Dreyer, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Morné van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Dan Kriel
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Marcel Theunissen, 5 David Meihuizen, 4 Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain). Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Juarno Augustus, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Tim Swiel.