Ruan Dreyer and Reinhard Nothnagel return as the Lions have named a relatively unchanged 23 to face Benetton in the Vodacom URC at Stadio Monigo on Saturday.
Nothnagel, Dreyer and Travis Gordon are the only changes – all on the bench – with Marius Louw retaining the captaincy, while Andries Coetzee is line to feature against his former club in Treviso.
The 11th-placed Lions and Benetton, in ninth, are both fighting for a top-eight finish in the URC, with two rounds remaining after this weekend’s clash.
Ivan van Rooyen’s Pride have momentum on their side after back-to-back wins against Glasgow Warriors and Vodacom Bulls before a two-week break in the competition.
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Speaking from Treviso in the build-up to Saturday, Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys expects a physical encounter combined with an expansive style of play from both teams.
“Benetton are a team that likes to throw the ball around, and we ourselves like to do the same so I think it will be an entertaining match to watch. In saying that, the team that is more accurate and can absorb the pressure will do well,” he said.
“Reflecting on our last fixture against them back in South Africa last year, it was probably one of the most physical games and that’s what we look forward to the most, coupled with playing against a quality team with a few internationals potentially coming back.”
“Its going to be a good battle and a really good game for us to see where we’re at as we feel we’ve grown over the past couple of weeks and ultimately what counts is what happens between the four white lines.”
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Your Match 23 to face Benetton in Round 16 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in Treviso. @Vodacom | #URC | #UnitedWeRise#LionsPride? pic.twitter.com/pf8ISBZvqg
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 24, 2023
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