Lions rotate players for Challenge Cup clash against Dragons

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has mixed things up ahead of a busy festive season period for his team’s Challenge Cup opener against the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday.

In a move to spread the workload across a number of different players to keep everyone fit and fresh over the coming weeks, Van Rooyen has picked a new-look team following last week’s URC victory against Scarlets.

Springbok fullback Andries Coetzee returns to the side, with Quan Horn and Marius Louw rested, while Henco van Wyk is still serving a ban.

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This means the midfield pairing against Dragons will be Sango Xamlashe and Zander du Plessis, while Andre Warner also gets a start at scrumhalf.

Also, after a few weeks of playing off the bench, Gianni Lombard is back in the No 10 jersey, with Jordan Hendrikse on the bench this week.

The Lions’ pack though has a familiar look about it, with Jaco Kriel again at No 6.

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“We have rotated and rested a few our guys in recent games. We saw Jaco Kriel make a comfortable return to play after a long injury last week,” explained Van Rooyen on Friday.

“It’s pleasing to know that we have a relatively healthy squad with no new injuries. These next two weeks at home will be an ideal opportunity to subtly rotate the squad especially looking at the spine of the squad.”

Kick-off on Saturday is 12.45pm.

Lions: Andries Coetzee, Rabz Maxwane, Sango Xamlashe, Zander du Plessis, Edwill van der Merwe, Gianni Lombard, Andre Warner, Emmanuel Tshituka, Darrien Landsberg, Jaco Kriel, Reinhard Nothnagel (capt), Ruben Schoeman, Ruan Dreyer, PJ Botha, Sti Sithole. Bench: Jaco Visagie, JP Smith, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Sibusiso Sangweni, Sanele Nohamba, Jordan Hendrikse, Rynhardt Jonker