The Emirates Lions are back at Emirates Airline Park this Saturday where they will take on Zebre Parma in Round 6 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Fresh from a 4-week tour of Europe, the Joburg-based side will be eager to collect maximum points at home against the Italians, followed by a visit by the Dragons next Saturday (2 December)

Coach Ivan van Rooyen has made three changes to the starting line-up that faced Ulster last week which sees JP Smith claim the loosehead jumper ahead of Corne Fourie, with Ruan Delport (lock) and Ruan Venter (flank) enjoying starts as well.

Asked about the different playing conditions in Europe vs South Africa, Emirates Lions backline mentor Ricardo Loubscher says it’s imperative to have almost two styles of play when navigating this competition.

“We discussed the changes in conditions and what’s clear is that you need different playing styles as you need to plan for wet and cold weather, combined with when you play in sunny, dry conditions here at home, said Loubscher.

Fair to say we need to be flexible and so hopefully with the next two games at home, we can show what we are capable of with ball in hand,” he concluded.

Kick-off is at 14:55.

In what has been themed as a Festival of Rugby at Emirates Airline Park this weekend, the Lions XV take on the Toyota Cheetahs earlier in the day. Kick-off is at 11:30. Fans are encouraged to come early and enjoy a day of rugby at one of the world’s most iconic stadiums.

Emirates Lions Match 23

1. JP Smith
2. PJ Botha
3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye
4. Ruan Delport
5. Ruben Schoeman
6. Emmanuel Tshituka
7. Ruan Venter
8. Francke Horn
9. Morne van den Berg
10. Sanele Nohamba
11. Edwill van der Merwe
12. Marius Louw (c)
13. Henco van Wyk
14. Richard Kriel
15. Quan Horn

Replacements
16. Jaco Visagie
17. Corne Fourie
18. Ruan Smith
19. Willem Alberts
20. Hanru Sirgel
21. JC Pretorius
22. Jordan Hendrikse
23. Rabz Maxwane