It’s bonus-ball for Lions

The Lions are hunting four tries and the win when they host Scarlets on Sunday.

After snapping a five-match losing streak with a hard-fought win over Connacht, the Lions are aware that any realistic chance of reaching the URC quarter-finals for the first time rest on bonus-point victories in their final two regular-season games – against the Scarlets and Ospreys.

“We want to win these two games with five points,” said defence coach Jaque Fourie.

“Scarlets are a quality outfit; they have come a long way this season and we can’t think it’s going to be an easy game. We need to rock up on Sunday and the following week too. And (Ospreys) have shown that that they are probably our bogey team in the last few years.”

Currently sitting 13th on the log, the Johannesburg outfit must win and rely on other results.

Jarod Cairns retains the No 8 jersey in the absence of injured captain Francke Horn and will be joined in the back row by JC Pretorius and Renzo du Plessis. Springbok bruiser Ruan Venter comes in for Ruben Schoeman at lock, partnering Ruan Delport in the second row.

Jaco Visagie captains the team once again and lines up at hooker between Morgan Naude and Asenathi Ntlabakanye.

In the backline, Morne van den Berg is ruled out with a hamstring injury, giving Nico Steyn a start at scrumhalf. Kade Wolhuter will run out at flyhalf, while Henco van Wyk partners Bronson Mills in midfield.

A dynamic back three features Richard Kriel alongside Springboks Edwill van der Merwe and Quan Horn. Layton Horn has been called into the matchday squad and provides cover at fullback.

The Scarlets arrive in Johannesburg full of confidence after a shock 35-22 home win over title contenders Leinster. The Welsh side currently sit in seventh place on the log—eight points ahead of the Lions—and will be looking to consolidate their playoff position with another upset on the road.

LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (c), 1 Morgan Naude.
Bench: 16 PJ Botha, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images