The Fidelity Securedrive Lions undoubtedly face the toughest challenge among the local teams against the Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park on Saturday at 16:00 (SA Time), especially given the fact that the visitors have only suffered three defeats this season and currently top the standings.
The Johannesburgers, however, have been in fine form in the tournament recently, winning their last four home matches, which will bolster their confidence going into the clash. They will also draw comfort from the fact that Glasgow comes off a heartbreaking 22-19 defeat against Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final and will face the additional challenge of playing at altitude.
Spicing things up, the men from Gauteng have scored 421 points to 389 by their visitors in the competition, although they will have to place a heavy emphasis on their defence to come away with a win, as Glasgow have conceded 188 points fewer, which has seen them claim the bragging rights as the best defensive team in the competition.
Good news for Lions fans will be the return of scrum-half Morne van den Berg, who slots back into the match-day squad following the injury he sustained in the victory over Edinburgh. In the midfield, Richard Kriel will start at inside centre after Bronson Mills was ruled out through injury. Kriel, usually operating on the wing, brings an element of intrigue and skill to the backline as the Lions look to maintain momentum against one of the competition’s most exciting attacking sides.
Another welcome return will be that of star loose forward JC Pretorius, who has been named among the replacements. Known for his ball-snatching exploits, the former Blitzbok recently announced his commitment to the franchise.
Jack Oliver will make his first start for Glasgow Warriors in Johannesburg tomorrow, after being selected at scrum-half in the starting XV to take on the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions in round 15 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
The 22-year-old is one of nine changes to the lineup that ran out against RC Toulon last weekend, as Franco Smith’s men aim to maintain their position a hotly-contested playoff race.
Former Scotland U20 second-rower Ryan Burke could also make his senior professional debut at Ellis Park tomorrow afternoon, after the Glasgow Warriors academy prospect was selected amongst the replacements for the first of two back-to-back fixtures on South African soil.
An all-new front row sees Seb Stephen line up at hooker, with Rory Sutherland and Fin Richardson packing down alongside the Garioch RFC product.
Jare Oguntibeju and Alex Samuel continue their partnership in the second row, the latter having made all 19 of his attempted tackles in an all-action performance against Toulon last time out.
Jack Dempsey continues at number eight, whilst Euan Ferrie and Sione Vailanu come into the back row to join the Scotland star in the loose-forward trio.
Oliver partners with Dan Lancaster in the half-backs, the fly-half lining up for his third successive start in the number 10 jersey.
Stafford McDowall shifts to inside centre as he assumes the captaincy from the rested Kyle Steyn, as Huw Jones comes into the midfield to line up at outside centre.
The back-three sees Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay – both try-scorers on the club’s last visit to Johannesburg – joined by Fergus Watson, who comes into the starting lineup after impressing on his senior debut against Benetton last month.
Burke forms part of a six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench, the second-rower joined by fellow academy prospect Dylan Cockburn amongst the options available to Smith and his coaching team.
Nathan McBeth returns from an injury layoff to join Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson as the front-row cover, whilst Angus Fraser covers the back-row as he wears the number 21 shirt.
The back-line is covered by Ben Afshar and Sione Tuipulotu, with both men rotating to the replacements after starting against Toulon last Saturday.
Teams:
Fidelity Securedrive Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Edward Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Nico Steyn, Kelly Mpeku.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Stafford McDowall (captain), 11 Fergus Watson, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 Jack Oliver, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Jare Oguntibeju, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Seb Stephen, 1 Rory Sutherland. Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Dylan Cockburn, 20 Ryan Burke, 21 Angus Fraser, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Sione Tuipulotu.