Van Wyk returns for the Lions ahead of Connacht Meeting

April 25, 2025
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Ultimate Rugby

Saturday’s Round 16 United Rugby Championship clash sees the Johannesburg side lock horns with Irish outfit Connacht at Emirates Airline. Kick-off is at 16:00.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has taken a different approach to this weekend’s crucial fixture by including King Edward VII old boy Bronson Mills at inside centre. Mills, who makes his international club debut, partners the returning Henco van Wyk in the midfield in what is a new-look centre combination. Also included on the right wing is Richard Kriel who missed out last week against Benetton Rugby due to a niggle picked at training.

The loose trio sees Jarod Cairns comes in for the injured Francke Horn who sustained a knee injury in Round 15, forcing him off the field during the first half. The explosive Renzo du Plessis secures a starting berth with star poacher JC Pretorius completing the backrow.

Earlier this week Lions scrum guru Julian Redelinghuys spoke about the considerable amount of pressure towards the Race to the Eight, especially after last week’s 42-31 loss to the Italians nearly a week ago.

“We have spoken a lot about pressure over the past few weeks,” Redelinghuys added. “Pressure can numb you. It can make you retreat into yourself, or you can use it as a privilege.

“We are playing the game we love and working with people we care for. This sport isn’t played to be fun or nice, it’s played to be won and make the playoffs. We want to make that big step up collectively and we believe our best rugby is yet to be played,” he concluded.

A notable inclusion on the bench is that of Lubabalo Dobela who is yet to make his debut for the Lions. Izan Esterhuizen and Darrien Landsberg are some of the impact players on the bench.

Lions Match 23

1. Morgan Naude

2. Jaco Visagie (c )

3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye

4. Ruben Schoeman

5. Ruan Delport

6. JC Pretorius

7. Renzo du Plessis

8. Jarod Cairns

9. Morne van den Berg

10. Kade Wolhuter

11. Edwill van der Merwe