Key personnel return for Lions in must-win Challenge Cup match

Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has included explosive centre Henco van Wyk and Springbok Ruan Venter in his starting XV for his side's must-win EPCR Challenge Cup encounter against the Dragons from Wales.

Saturday's fixture marks the first home game of 2025 at Emirates Airline Park, where a win will secure them a spot in the competition's Round of 16. With the 28-5 loss against French giants Montpellier well behind them, van Rooyen's charges would certainly be eager to put in a memorable performance for the citizens of Johannesburg ahead of Saturday's 17:15 kick-off.

With both teams on equal points (5) in Pool 2, a win for either side will see them progress to the knockout phase of the competition with the home team adamant on going deep into the tournament this season.

Assistant coach Barend Pieterse says despite last week's disappointing result in France, the team remains in high spirits ahead of Saturday.

"The mood in the camp is really good after a tough review session [of the Montpellier game]. If you ask any player they will tell you it was a really tough and straightforward review and they are looking forward to making things right," admitted Pieterse.

"We haven't done ourselves any favours, not just in this past weekend's game, but in our other EPCR games as well, in not picking up more points. So we are focused on getting our five points this weekend and then we will see what happens," he concluded.

Saturday also sees the return of Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg alongside Sam Francis at pivot. Gianni Lombard provides cover on the bench, with Jarod Cairns returning to the squad after a week off.

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Manny Rass.

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