The Lions have welcomed back second rower Reinhard Nothnagel and veteran prop Ruan Dreyer to the squad that will travel to Treviso for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against Benetton on Saturday.
On Tuesday the Lions confirmed a 24-man squad that will make the trip to Italy as the Vodacom URC resumes after a two-week break.
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Regular captain Nothnagel has recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in December, but centre Marius Louw has retained the captaincy of the squad.
Also back is Springbok tighthead prop Dreyer, who has completed his ban and will offer plenty of experience to the front row department, which includes Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Rhynardt Rijnsburger and JP Smith.
Currie Cup captain Travis Gordon gets the nod after play 160 minutes of rugby over the past two weeks following a long-term injury. Hooker Morne Brandon and flank Ruan Delport are in the squad after impressing in the Currie Cup.
Andries Coetzee will offer the squad plenty of knowhow about Italy, having spent a year with Benetton.
The Lions currently sit in 11th place on the table and trail ninth-placed Benetton by five points.
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Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm South African time.
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An Italian job awaits… Wishing our Emirates Lions touring squad all safe travels as they head off to Treviso to face @BenettonRugby in Round 16 of the @URCOfficial_RSA.#LionsPride?@vodacom | #URC | #UnitedWeRise pic.twitter.com/MAA8zC8yK2
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 21, 2023
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