Match News, Press Release, Team News, United Rugby Championship
28th Sep 2022
The Emirates Lions will look at clinching their second win on tour when they take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 3 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this Friday at Cardiff Arms Park.
Henco van Wyk wears the number 13 jersey against Cardiff Rugby, partnering with Marius Louw.
Lock Pieter Jansen Van Vuren makes his first start of the 2022/23 season.
Ruan Venter makes his return to the bench.
The Emirates Lions will look at clinching their second win on tour when they take on Cardiff Rugby in Round 3 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this Friday at Cardiff Arms Park.
Two changes in the starting XV sees centre Henco van Wyk and lock Pieter Jansen van Vuren get an opportunity to impress as starters against the Welsh club.
Emirates Lions defence guru Jaque Fourie praised his team’s defensive effort against Ospreys last week but believes Cardiff Rugby presents a different challenge.
“The Welsh sides pride themselves with big forward packs coupled with backline players who enjoy throwing the ball around,” explains Fourie.
“Cardiff Rugby will be no different this Friday as I’m sure they will come with a heavy pack and nippy backline players who can take the ball wide. In saying that, we have done our homework on them and prepared well in the week.”
The former Springbok centre also spoke about starting well in the competition especially away from home.
“It’s our second year in the competition so we have a pretty good idea of what to expect especially when playing overseas. Starting well and picking up points over here sets the tone for when we head back home,” Fourie concludes.
Kick-off is at 20:35 (SA time), Friday, 30 September.
Cardiff Blues
TBA
Emirates Lions
1. Sti Sithole
2. PJ Botha
3. Ruan Dreyer
4. Pieter Jansen van Vuren
5. Reinhard Nothnagel ( c)
6. Sibusiso Sangweni
7. Emmanuel Tshituka
8. Francke Horn
9. Sanele Nohamba
10. Gianni Lombard
11. Quan Horn
12. Marius Louw
13. Henco van Wyk
14. Edwill van der Merwe
15. Andries Coetzee
Replacements
16. Jaco Visagie
17. JP Smith
18. Ruan Smith
19. Ruan Venter
20. Ruhan Straeuli
21. Morne van den Berg
22. Jordan Hendrikse
23. Zander du Plessis