By Brenden Nel.
Gianni Lombard will start at flyhalf for the Emirates Lions as they head into their home Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Cell C Sharks on Saturday.
Following the injury to Jordan Hendrikse and the surgery on midfielder Henco van Wyk, the Lions look a bit thin at the back, with Lombard the obvious replacement for Hendrikse.
Mannie Rass comes into the midfield to replace Van Wyk with Marius Louw partnering him in the midfield and leading the team against his former province.
Rabz Maxwane has recovered from injury and replaces Stean Pienaar on the wing, while Sanele Nohamba is back on the bench. Morne van den Berg replaces Andre Warner in the starting line-up with Warner now out of the match-day 23.
There are some changes in the pack with Ruben Schoeman returning at lock and Jaco Kriel at flank. Kriel was on the bench for the Lions’ last game and Schoeman has seen little game time this season.
Emmanuel Tshituka’s new loose trio partners include Kriel and Ruan Venter, who was struggling with an injury and missed the last game.
On the bench Ruan Dreyer comes in at replacement tighthead, while Ruan Delport, Sibusiso Sangweni and Ruhan Straeuli make up the forward reserves with Nohamba and Rynhardt Jonker the backline reserves.
The Lions haven’t won a derby game for the past year and will be hoping their luck strikes on their home ground on Saturday.
Emirates Lions:Quan Horn, Rabz Maxwane, Mannie Rass, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe; Gianni Lombard, Morne van den Berg; Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruan Venter, Jaco Kriel, Ruben Schoeman, Willem Alberts, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith.
Replacements:Michael van Vuuren, Morgan Naude, Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Delport, Sibusiso Sangweni, Ruhan Straeuli, Sanele Nohamba, Rynhardt Jonker.