The Emirates Lions face up to Cardiff Rugby this Friday night for Round 13 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen’s squad was boosted by the return of Springboks Ruan Venter and Quan Horn, both who feature in the starting XV ahead of their match under lights at Cardiff Arms Park. Also returning from injury is explosive centre Henco van Wyk who will undoubtedly provide impact from the bench.

The Lions mentor has also opted for JC Pretorius in the number six jumper, who missed his teams’ previous fixture due to a niggle picked up in training.

Junior Springbok Nico Steyn starts in the halfback position in place of Springbok Morne van Berg who misses out due to a finger injury suffered a fortnight ago against the Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Speaking from Cardiff earlier this week, Emirates Lions assistant coach Barend Pieterse said the fight for a play-off spot is intensifying with 15 teams in the race with six rounds remaining.

“We really want to start this tour well, he said.

“The aim is to get as many points as possible. As it stands the log is very close. Everything is in our hands at the moment.”

Pieterse was also pleased to have the injured players back in the mix and commended the efforts of the squad members who stepped up during their absence.

“The return of those players (Henco, Quan and Ruan) gives the squad confidence. All of them have been good for us during the season but in saying that, the players who filled in for them while they were injured did very well. It says a lot about our depth and how lucky we are to have that.”

Scrumhalf Layton Horn will be in line for his international club debut if given the opportunity. The bench also boasts the likes of Siba Qoma and Jarod Cairns- both who impressed against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban two weeks ago.

Kick-off on Friday is at 21:35 (SA time)

Emirates Lions Match 23

1.           Juan Schoeman

2.           PJ Botha

3.           Asenathi Ntlabakanye

4.           Ruben Schoeman

5.           Darrien Landsberg

6.           JC Pretorius

7.           Ruan Venter

8.           Francke Horn (c)

9.           Nico Steyn

10.         Gianni Lombard

11.         Edwill van der Merwe

12.         Marius Louw

13.         Manuel Rass

14.         Richard Kriel

15.         Quan Horn

Replacements

16.         Franco Marais

17.         SJ Kotze

18.         RF Schoeman

19.         Ruan Delport

20.         Siba Qoma

21.         Layton Horn

22.         Jarod Cairns

23.         Henco van Wyk