Lions welcome back Emmanuel Tshituka for Zebre clash

Tshituka, who received a straight red card during the Lions' Challenge Cup Round of 16 match against Racing 92, has been named on the bench for Saturday's encounter.

The fixture will also see Lions stalwart Jaco Kriel play his final professional game prior to retirement on Saturday.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is also due for his 50th appearance if he comes onto the field as a replacement.

The only two changes to the starting line-up sees Rabz Maxwane and Ruan Venter return after missing last weekend's URC fixture due to injury.

Unfortunately for the Gauteng outfit, there is only pride to play for after their last-gasp defeat against Leinster last weekend saw them eliminated from the play-off picture, but they will still be eager to finish the season strongly with the potential of ending up a respectable ninth on the log.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jacobus Kriel, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger.

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Andries Coetzee.