Lock forward Ruben Schoeman will lead the Fidelity ADT Lions ahead of their Round 7 clash against DHL Western Province at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday. Kick-off in Johannesburg is at 15:00.

Schoeman who returns to the starting XV after serving a two-week suspension, partners with Darrien Landsberg in the second row. Hooker Morne Brandon gets a start against the men from Cape Town with regular skipper Jaco Visagie providing cover on the bench.

In another change, Sibabalo Qoma comes in for Ruan Venter who was a late omission from the run on XV. Popular prop forward Asenathi Ntlabakanye looks certain to make an impact later in the fixture in what will be is first appearance in this year’s campaign.

Commenting on the Carling Currie Cup as a competition, the abrasive second-rower and former Grey College pupil believes that it remains one of the best tournaments to be a part of.

“The standard of the competition, the quality of the skills displayed weekend-in, and weekend out still makes it one of the best competitions in the world in my opinion,” said Schoeman.

“You’ll have to argue with me quite a bit on that one to change my mind,” he quipped.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Schoeman is confident that if his troops remain steadfast in their planning, the outcome should take of itself after 80 minutes.

“As a team, we in a good space. I think if we stick to our structures, stick to our plans and keep applying pressure on them, we’ll get the result we want on Saturday.”

Fidelity ADT Lions 23

1.           SJ Kotze

2.           Morne Brandon

3.           RF Schoeman

4.           Ruben Schoeman (c)

5.           Darrien Landsberg

6.           Renzo du Plessis

7.           Sibabalo Qoma

8.           Jarod Cairns

9.           Nico Steyn

10.         Bronson Mills

11.         Tapiwa Mafura

12.         Rynhardt Jonker

13.         Kelly Mpeku

14.         Boldwin Hansen

15.         Quan Horn

Replacements

16.         Jaco Visagie

17.         Heiko Pohlmann

18.         Asenathi Ntlabakanye

19.         Etienne Oosthuizen

20.         Tiaan Wessels

21.         Luca Ribbens

22.         Layton Horn

23.         Zander du Plessis

Fidelity ADT Lions 2024 Currie Fixtures:

24 August 2024- Toyota Cheetahs (A)

30 August 2024- Vodacom Bulls (A)

6 September 2024- Novavit Griffons (H)