EPCR Challenge Cup, Match News, Press Release, Team News
20th Jan 2023
The Emirates Lions take on Dragons RFC this Sunday in Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at the Rodney Parade stadium in Newport.
The Emirates Lions take on Dragons RFC this Sunday in Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup at the Rodney Parade stadium in Newport. The team from Johannesburg will look at maintaining their unbeaten record against their Welsh rivals ahead of their fourth encounter in all competitions over the 8 months. Sunday is must-win match for Ivan van Rooyen and his troops as they aim to secure a Top 6 finish in Pool B of the Challenge Cup ahead of the Round of 16.
Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse has recovered from the ankle niggle he suffered two weeks ago against Munster and take his place in the flyhalf position. The Junior Springbok partners with Andre Warner who gets his chance as the starting scrumhalf with the nuggety Morne van den Berg providing cover on the bench.
Elsewhere, hookers Michael van Vuuren and PJ Botha swop jersey numbers, with the former getting an opportunity in the starting XV.
Emirates Lions Forwards Coach Albert van den Berg talking ahead of Sunday:
“We can take confidence from the fact that we have not lost to the Dragons in our last three encounters across all competitions.”
“If you look at our recent games, one of the things we can work on is limiting our unforced errors coupled with decision-making at crucial times.”
“We tend to do a lot playing but don’t get the points for it. So, if we can change that, then we increase our chances of a positive result. Dragons are a good side who’ve shown good improvement, so we need to be sharp come Sunday afternoon,” he concluded.
Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time)
Dragons RFC
TBA
Emirates Lions
1. JP Smith
2. Michael van Vuuren
3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye
4. Willem Alberts
5. Darrien Landsberg
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Emile van Heerden
8. Emmanuel Tshituka
9. Andre Warner
10. Jordan Hendrikse
11. Edwill van der Merwe
12. Marius Louw (c)
13. Henco van Wyk
14. Quan Horn
15. Andries Coetzee
Replacements
16. PJ Botha
17. Morgan Naude
18. Ruan Smith
19. Pieter Jansen van Vuren
20. Ruhan Straeuli
21. JC Pretorius
22. Morne van den Berg
23. Rynhardt Jonker