Currie Cup: Junior Boks Headline Lions Team To Face Pumas
The Lions have made two changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup clash against the Pumas as they look to bounce back from a narrow defeat in their previous outing.
The Johannesburg side will host the Mpumalanga outfit at 10Bet Ellis Park after suffering a heartbreaking 39-37 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.
Despite the setback, the Lions will take confidence from their recent record against the Pumas, having won four of their last five meetings. Their only defeat came in Nelspruit three years ago, while last season’s encounter at Mbombela Stadium saw the Lions edge the hosts 36-35 in another closely contested affair.
Junior Springboks Earn Starting Roles
Head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has made just two changes to the starting XV.
Junior Springbok Mahle Sithole comes in at hooker, while fellow Junior Bok Thando Biyela starts on the flank as the Lions look to inject fresh energy into the forward pack.
Ruan Delport will once again captain the side from the second row.
The backline remains unchanged, with Sam Francis and Zian Cilliers continuing their halfback partnership, while experienced winger Rabz Maxwane and fullback Latica Nela are expected to provide attacking spark.
Moos Set For Lions Debut
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of new signing Asad Moos among the replacements.
The versatile back is in line to make his first appearance for the Lions after joining the Johannesburg franchise.
Renzo du Plessis and Marco Ferreira also feature on the bench and are expected to provide impact in the second half.
Lions Starting XV
- Latica Nela
- Keagan Smith
- Likhona Finca
- Rynhardt Jonker
- Rabz Maxwane
- Sam Francis
- Zian Cilliers
- Morne Venter
- Jarod Cairs
- Thando Biyela
- Ruan Delport (captain)
- Dylan Sjoblom
- Conraad van Vuuren
- Mahle Sithole
- Morgan Naude
Replacements: Ruan Welman, Cecil Parsons, Ruan Swart, Marco Ferreira, Renzo du Plessis, Asad Moos, Matthew Coetzee, Exauce Kevani.
The match kicks off at 15:00 SAST on Saturday, 25 July, at 10Bet Ellis Park in Johannesburg, with the Lions aiming to return to winning ways and strengthen their early Currie Cup campaign.