Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a blended squad of experience and youth that will travel to Montpellier for round three of the European Challenge Cup.
The Lions, fresh off last week’s dramatic victory over the Sharks – which was the first time the men from Johannesburg have got one over their SA rivals since 2017 – will look to continue their momentum in France.
Their second season in the Challenge Cup has got off to an impressive start with a 28-12 victory at Perpignan before a convincing 35-13 victory at home against the Newcastle Falcons.
The Lions announced a 26-man squad that will travel to the south of France on Tuesday afternoon which doesn’t include regulars such as skipper Marius Louw, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Quan Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka and Henco van Wyk.
Instead, Van Rooyen has opted to rest his senior players, a tactic that paid dividends when he sent over an inexperienced squad to face Perpignan.
Nohamba’s absence will allow round one Man of the Match flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse another shot at staking his claim for the 10 jersey and will likely partner youngster Nico Steyn as the halfback pairing.
The squad will be captained by Jaco Visagie for the second time while DHL Stormers loanee Kade Wolhuter is also in line for a potential European debut as he returns to the scene after a lengthy knee injury.
Jaco Visagie leads the Emirates Lions touring squad to face Montpellier in Round 3 of the EPCR Challenge Cup this Saturday in France. #LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/mZM80Dp0k9
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 9, 2024
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/INPHO/Shutterstock