The Emirates Lions have made two changes to their starting XV ahead of their rescheduled Round 1 encounter against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban this Saturday. Flanker Sibabalo Qoma replaces Springbok Ruan Venter in the loose trio. Venter is undergoing the mandatory return to play protocol after suffering a head knock against the same opposition last week.

Still in the backrow, Jarod Cairns slots in for JC Pretorius who was unavailable for selection due to an injury suffered in training this week.

Describing the week ahead of Saturday, the Emirates Lions mentor said despite the changes in weather over the past three days on the Highveld, his team managed to prepare well overall.

“It’s been good week for us. There was quite a bit of rain on Monday, so we had to train indoors, but overall, we had good training sessions on the rest of the days this week with quite bit of focus on fixes on our side ahead of a tough encounter against the Sharks.”

Despite a convincing 38-14 victory against the men from Durban last week Saturday at Emirates Lions Park, the man fondly known as ‘Cash’ says he is under no illusions of the task awaiting his side at the coast.

“New week, new challenge. We under no illusion that they are going to be a lot better. Any team SA team that’s hurting after a loss in a local derby will be more physical and up for the challenge. We know that it’s going to be a totally different first 20-40 minutes coming our way on Saturday so it’s important for us to be better and focus on what we want to do,” he concluded.

On the replacements bench, former Sharks hooker Franco Marais makes a comeback, with Morgan Naude and Conraad van Vuuren completing the front row changes.

Izan Esterhuizen and WJ Steenkamp will be introduced to provide cover in the loose trio.

Kick-of in Durban is at 14:00.

Emirates Lions Match 23

1.           Juan Schoeman

2.           PJ Botha

3.           Asenathi Ntlabakanye

4.           Ruben Schoeman

5.           Darrien Landsberg

6.           Jarod Cairns

7.           Sibabalo Qoma

8.           Francke Horn (c)

9.           Morne van den Berg

10.         Gianni Lombard

11.         Edwill van der Merwe

12.         Marius Louw

13.         Manuel Rass

14.         Richard Kriel

15.         Tapiwa Mafura

Replacements

16.         Franco Marais

17.         Morgan Naude

18.         Conraad van Vuuren

19.         Ruan Delport

20.         Izan Esterhuizen

21.         Nico Steyn

22.         WJ Steenkamp

23.         Rynardt Jonker

Players not considered for selection due to injury:

• Etienne Oosthuizen
• Henco van Wyk
• Ruan Venter
• JC Pretorius
• Quan Horn
• Reinhard Nothnagel
• Rabz Maxwane
• Erich Cronje
• Raynard Roets