JOHANNESBURG - Lions boss Swys de Bruin has picked the exciting duo of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Aphiwe Dyantyi in the midfield for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at Ellis Park.
The two men will partner each other for the first time in the Lions centres, with regulars Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe missing out through injury. It will be rookie Dyantyi’s first outing in the midfield at this level of the game having performed so well on the wing so far this season.
“I want them to have a go, go out there and try score tries,” said De Bruin about his new 12-13 combination.
Also back in the side on the wings are Sylvian Mahuza and Madosh Tambwe, while at No 8 Hacjivah Dayimani also returns after missing out recently.
The Lions are desperate to hit back at home this weekend after copping three defeats in a row in Australasia recently. After starting their tour with a 29-0 win against the Waratahs they lost to the Reds, Hurricanes and Highlanders.
De Bruin has also shaken things up in the tight-five, with Marvin Orie and Lourens Erasmus the new lock pairing. On the bench scrumhalf Ross Cronje returns after missing out several weeks’ action due to injury.
“It’s great having him back. He’s an experienced campaigner and one of our leaders,” said De Bruin.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance on Saturday. Kick-off on Saturday is 5.15pm.
WATCH: @jantjies_elton talks about his life at the @LionsRugbyCo on the eve of his 100th @SuperRugby cap. Video: @jacq_west @IOL @TheStar_news #EltonJantjies #LIOvBRU #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/1bpHOiSOX1
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) May 17, 2018
Lions team:
Andries Coetzee, Sylvian Mahuza, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Madosh Tambwe, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Hacjivah Dayimani, Franco Mostert (capt), Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Lourens Erasmus, Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith. Replacements: Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Johannes Jonker, Len Massyn, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronje, Shaun Reynolds, Ruan Combrinck.