Jordan Hendrikse will start his first game in eight months when the Lions host the DHL Stormers in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship season opener on Saturday.
Hendrikse has been out since late January with a shoulder injury that required surgery and brought his participation in the 2022-23 campaign to a premature end.
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The 21-year-old, who scored 105 points in 15 games in all competitions last season, is back in the No 10 jersey as the Lions open their 2023-24 URC with a local derby against the Stormers, last season’s silver-medalists.
Hendrikse forms the halfback combination with Sanele Nohamba in a strong Lions team for the match at Ellis Park.
Marius Louw will captain the Lions from inside centre, while new signing Richard Kriel will make a starting debut on the right wing.
There is also a return from injury for promising young centre Henco van Wyk, who could also play his first game since January if he is called on from the bench.
Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (c), 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Darrien Landsburg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Corne Fourie.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Andries Coetzee.
Photo: Gareth Everett/Gallo Images