The Emirates Lions head into Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup for an encounter against Welsh outfit Ospreys in what will be the Johannesburg side’s first home fixture of 2024. After the disappointment of last week’s defeat against Pool B leaders Montpellier, Ivan van Rooyen’s men will be looking at achieving a positive result in front of the Lions faithful this Sunday afternoon at Emirates Airline Park.

The Lions mentor has named talented pivot Kade Wolhuter is his match 23 which also sees the return of Springbok Ruan Dreyer after recovering from a wrist injury. Also returning to the side is scrumhalf Morne van den after completing his concussion protocol for a possible appearance from the bench.

Sanele Nohamba starts at halfback for Sunday’s clash alongside Gianni Lombard, which sees a new 9/10 pairing for the men from Doornfontein.

Speaking ahead of Sunday, Ivan ‘Cash’ van Rooyen was wary of the tough weeks ahead for his side in all international competitions, but backed his rotation policy which sees players being rewarded for stellar performances.

“Ospreys have been going really well. Their attack is very good and their defence is probably the most improved in the competition, he praised.

“We really want to put in a big performance especially here at home. Looking at our roster in the next few weeks and the number of tough games coming up, it’s important for us to put up a good performance this week heading into a packed schedule of local URC derbies.”

“Due to the performances last week in France, there are one or two rewards in the match 23 ahead of Sunday’s game for some good performances and opportunities for those players to have another crack against Ospreys,” he concluded.

Emirates Lions Match 23 vs Ospreys

1. JP Smith
2. PJ Botha
3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye
4. Ruben Schoeman
5. Reinhard Nothnagel
6. JC Pretorius
7. Emmanuel Tshituka
8. Francke Horn
9. Sanele Nohamba
10. Gianni Lombard
11. Edwill van der Merwe
12. Marius Louw (c)
13. Henco van Wyk
14. Richard Kriel
15. Quan Horn

Replacements
16. Jaco Visagie
17. Morgan Naude
18. Ruan Dreyer
19. Darrien Landsberg
20. Hanru Sirgel
21. Morne van den Berg
22. Kade Wolhuter
23. Erich Cronje