Lions opt for team continuity for tough URC encounter with red-hot Ulster

The Lions go into Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster with consistency in selection and a smidgeon of momentum. Still, they will have to improve significantly if they are to beat the team from Northern Ireland.

The Lions ended their winless start to the URC with a workmanlike victory over the last-placed Scarlets at Ellis Park last week, while over the last fortnight, Ulster have beaten the Bulls 28-7 and the Sharks 34-26.

Last week’s hard-fought success, however, came with one casualty in the form of star poacher JC Pretorius, who sustained a knee injury that will see him out of action for some time.

Reflecting on last weekend’s 29-18 win, Lions kicking coach Morne Steyn was pleased with the team’s composure but acknowledged areas for improvement.

“Looking back, I didn’t think it was our best game, but still, we got five points. That’s a positive for us. You don’t play good rugby, but still get five points… that’s great for the game coming up.”

Fresh from their win against the Sharks last week at Kings Park, Ulster coach Richie Murphy and his troops will look to complete a successful tour of South Africa.

Ulster went through a rough patch a few years ago, but since Murphy came in just over a year ago, their performances have turned around.

They are fifth on the table with three wins from three, and they have played one less game than the others because their match against Edinburgh three weeks ago was postponed due to Storm Amy.

“Ulster are a quality team,” Steyn continued. “They’ve got great forwards and exciting backs. From nine to 15, almost all of them can kick, so it’s going to be a tough, physical battle. Luckily, we play in Joburg, so hopefully we can tire them a bit and run them around.”

In team news, lock Reinhard Nothnagel, who came off the bench against the Scarlets, starts in the No 5 jumper. Last week’s Player of the Match, Jarod Cairns, replaces the injured Pretorius. The only change in the backline is that of promising inside centre Bronson Mills, who gets an opportunity alongside the explosive Henco van Wyk.

The match kicks off at 1.45pm, and the players will be holding thumbs that a few more fans turn up to cheer them on. Around 1,700 spectators attended the 65,000-seater Ellis Park last weekend to watch the bottom two URC teams in action.

Lions team for Ulster

15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.

Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Kelly Mpeku.