Quan Horn to skipper Lions in Currie Cup final, big Asenathi Ntlabakanye back in front row

Springbok fullback Quan Horn will captain the Lions against Griquas in Saturday’s crunch Currie Cup final at Ellis Park. Horn takes the captain’s armband from regular skipper PJ Botha, who was injured in last Saturday’s semi-final against Boland.

Another Springbok and crowd favourite, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, starts at tighthead prop for the Joburg side. Ntlabakanye, fresh from his Players’ Player award — voted for by his teammates at the Lions Players’ Awards earlier this week — has been training with the squad over the past two weeks.

Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi says his team is upbeat ahead of their second consecutive final.“It’s a Currie Cup final and both teams will be positively optimistic. We are proud of the fact that it’s our second domestic final in a row since 2014 and 2015, so there’s a lot to be said for that. We are certainly looking forward to it, especially with the good week of training we’ve had.”

In other team news, Franco Marais replaces Botha at hooker, while RF Schoeman drops down to the replacements bench, making way for Ntlabakanye.

“We have had a good run of results over the last three or four games, so there is a lot of confidence in the team. You don’t need much motivation when you are playing in a Currie Cup final, and playing at Ellis Park makes it even more special,” the coach said.

Flyhalf Chris Smit added: “We have been taking every game seriously. We knew that Boland would be a tough match. They had beaten us earlier in the competition, so we had to be on top of our game against them.

“It was a good performance from us. We were clinical with our chances and are happy that we have won through to the final. We have built up some good momentum and will take that into Saturday’s game.”

Lions team for Currie Cup final

15 Quan Horn (captain), 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Hashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.