Lions get Springboks boost for Challenge Cup opener against Benetton

Springboks Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Morne van den Berg have been drafted straight back into the Lions’ starting line-up for their Challenge Cup opener against Benetton at Ellis Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Both Ntlabakanye and Van den Berg featured for the Boks on their European tour in November. Scrumhalf Van den Berg bagged one of the Boks’ 11 tries in last weekend’s 73-0 hammering of Wales in Cardiff, after starting the match. Prop Ntlabakanye came off the bench in the second half.

In the absence of the star duo, the Lions secured a commanding 43-33 URC victory over the Bulls at Loftus last weekend – their third win in a row in the competition – and will be looking to build on that rare triumph as they welcome Benetton to Ellis Park.

Ntlabakanye starts in place of RF Schoeman at tighthead, while Nico Steyn makes way for Van den Berg in the No 9 jersey, with both the previous starters dropping to the bench.

The Lions will be confident of avenging a 41-15 away defeat against the Italian side in round three of the URC on October 11 – a result that preceded their unbeaten run.

Centre Erich Cronje returns in place of the injured Henco van Wyk, partnering inside centre Bronson Mills, while Kelly Mpeku gets a sustained run on the right wing after impressing against the Bulls. Eduan Keyter starts on the left.

There is still no space for speedster Angelo Davids in coach Ivan van Rooyen’s squad, with Richard Kriel and Gianni Lombard among the backs on the bench.

Lions team to face Benetton:

15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Edward Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21  Nico Steyn, 22 Richard Kriel, 23 Gianni Lombard.