Lions scrumhalf Morné van den Berg played a crucial role in the victory over the Sharks this past weekend and will be instrumental when they face the Stormers in their final SA derby at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
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With a bruising set-piece battle looming in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against the Stormers at Ellis Park (2.30pm kick-off), the Lions have prioritised scrum stability, lineout precision and forward dominance in their team selection.
The scrummaging power of the front row of SJ Kotze, PJ Botha and RF Schoeman will be crucial against a formidable Stormers tight five, while Botha’s accuracy at lineout time could prove decisive in what promises to be a high-pressure set-piece contest.
Locks Etienne Oosthuizen and Darrien Landsberg add muscle and aerial authority in the second row, tasked with countering the Stormers’ structured driving game and providing a solid platform at the set piece.
The back row strikes a balance between physicality and mobility. Captain and No 8 Francke Horn, alongside flanks Siba Mahashe and tireless workhorse Batho Hlekani, will bring breakdown intensity while targeting the visitors' mauls and exit plays. Their ability to disrupt this area could shape the territorial arm wrestle expected in Johannesburg.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen opted for continuity in the backline after last weekend’s victory against the Sharks, with the halfback pairing of Chris Smith and Morné van den Berg once again expected to dictate play for the home team, and Kelly Mpeku and Angelo Davids offering the pace and ability to finish out wide.
Centres Henko van Wyk and Bronson Mills will also provide attacking spark but will have to be on high alert to snuff out the danger posed by the Stormers' formidable backline.
Nico Steyn will act as backup to Van den Berg at scrumhalf, with rising star Haashim Pead dropping out of the matchday 23.
Lions team to face Stormers
15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Erich Cronje.