Hendrikse at fullback for Lions

26/04/2024 09:25

Jordan Hendrikse will earn his 50th cap for the Lions at fullback in the crunch Vodacom URC match against Munster in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Lions have kept a relatively unchanged side from the team that claimed a bonus-point win over Leinster last weekend.

The only change to the backline sees Hendrikse promoted to the starting lineup to replace the injured Quan Horn, who picked up a shoulder niggle against Leinster.

There is one further rotational switch to the starting pack, as veteran hooker Jaco Visagie starts, while PJ Botha will play from the bench.

The Lions are also without centre Henco van Wyk, who has been ruled out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.

However, Ivan van Rooyen’s side has been boosted by the return of utility forward Ruan Venter, who has been named on the bench and could play his first game since the opening weekend of March.

Playmaker Gianni Lombard could make his first Vodacom URC appearance of the season and his first since January, as one of two backline players on the bench.

Lions — 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Morgan Naude.
Subs: 16 PJ Botha, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Gianni Lombard.

Photo: Roberto Bregani/Gallo Images

The post Hendrikse at fullback for Lions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.