Ivan van Rooyen and his Vodacom URC management will coach the Lions for the big Jukskei derby against the Bulls in the Currie Cup on Friday.

After a successful campaign under head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi, the Pride will tap into their URC squad members in the penultimate round of this year’s edition of rugby’s oldest competition.

Van Rooyen is set to take charge of Friday’s clash at Midstream College in Olifantsfontein, using it as an opportunity to assess squad depth as well as providing a chance for new signings to obtain much-needed game time.

Nkosi and his support staff will resume responsibility for the remainder of the campaign.

Friday’s matchday 23 sees the infusion of Springboks Morne van den Berg, Ruan Venter and Quan Horn. JC Pretorius, who featured in the win over the Cheetahs last week, is joined in the back row by No 8 Francke Horn.

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New recruits Franco Marais and Juan Schoeman are set to make an impact off the bench with the versatile Sanele Nohamba.

“It’s exciting to incorporate a few of the guys who have not played Currie Cup this season to get a few minutes under their belts ahead of the 2024-25 international season, combined with guys who been doing well in the competition so far,” Van Rooyen said.

“It’s important for us to keep the momentum going and keep going forward as a collective group.

We are looking forward to playing the Bulls. We know they are a good side with good plans, so we need to be sharp as we continue to march forward.”

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