Ruan Venter could partner Reinhard Nothnagel as Lions consider new-look second row against Sharks

There was a strong hint from Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher that the Sharks will face Springbok loose forward Ruan Venter in a new-look second row with Reinhard Nothnagel on Saturday at Ellis Park.

The long-serving Nothnagel is making his way back after a serious shoulder injury, while Venter has recently completed a four-match suspension for a shoulder-to-head tackle on Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi during the Lions’ 23-22 win in Durban on January 3.

The Lions want to up their physicality after a weak showing in their last match, a big defeat to the Bulls, and to combat a Sharks pack that recently outplayed the Stormers, home and away.

Also, during Venter’s absence, former Shark Batho Hlekani has been impressive, and the Lions coaching staff does not want to dispense with the Junior Springbok’s excellent contributions.

“We are privileged to have both of them,” Loubscher said of Venter and Hlekani. “We know when they have the ball in hand, they get us over the advantage line.

“We might include Ruan in the starting lineup, with Batho then coming off the bench. We see Ruan as someone who can be utilised at blindside flank and No 4 lock, because he is comfortable in both positions. It depends on how we need him on Saturday.”

Venter, who was capped for the Springboks in the 2024 Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein, has partnered Nothnagel in the second row before.

Nothnagel said he is pleased to be playing again after his injury setback.

“I was laid off for a long time with a bad shoulder injury, and playing again will build up my confidence,” he said. “Any time you are out for a long time, you need to find your belief again.

“The team are helping me to do that. If everyone performs at their best, we can be a very good side, but if we are to get back to winning ways, we need to get our set piece right against the Sharks.

“The set piece is a big part of their game, and their lineouts are very good under coach Warren Whiteley. I played with the Tshituka brothers (Vincent and Manu, the Sharks forwards), so we know them a little bit. They are good on their own ball, but from their games against the Stormers, we see they are also putting the opposition under pressure with their contesting.”

Nothnagel said the Lions had taken their disappointing loss to the Bulls on the chin.

“We had a good look at ourselves. We know we were not up to standard on the day,” he said. “Physicality had not been an issue for us throughout the season, but it was against the Bulls, so we need to step up against the Sharks.

“We have taken the shots on that one. We know what we are good at and what we have to improve on.”

The No 5 lock said another SA Derby is a good platform to put things right.

“In an SA Derby, everything starts with the physicality, so if we can win that battle, we lay the foundation for our backs. We have an exciting backline, so it starts up front.

“If you grew up in South Africa, SA Derbies back in the day were the highlight of the weekend, so to be able to play in them now is awesome. I love the experience, and the crowd comes out. It is good for SA rugby.”