STARTS FOR NTLABAKANYE, ALBERTS IN LIONS’ FINAL TOUR MATCH IN BELFAST

The Emirates Lions face Irish outfit Ulster for their final tour match in Round 5 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Kick-off is at 21:35 (SA time) on Friday evening at Kingspan Stadium.

Fresh from their vital win against Scarlets last week, the team from Johannesburg will be aiming to end their tour on a high against an Ulster side brimming with confidence after victory over their local rivals and defending champions Munster.

Looking ahead to Friday, Emirates Lions assistant coach Barend Pieterse believes that composure is key especially when his side are in favourable point- scoring positions, especially against a side like Ulster.

“The big thing that we spoke about during the past four weeks is more calmness when we get into the scoring zone. Our work rate in general wasn’t what we wanted in the opening game, but if you look at the last game, every individual worked very hard, and it just came together for us.

“We need to make sure our basics is good. The guys know the environment that we are going into is harsh. The weather outside is cold, it’s raining, and the stadium will be sold out again, but everyone is ready for what we expect, and we just have to keep our basics simple. It doesn’t help against a classy team like Ulster if we start doing funny things like play from own try-line.”

Friday sees Springbok Willem ‘The Bone Collector’ Alberts enjoy his first start of the season alongside Ruben Schoeman who runs out for his 50th international match in Lions colours.

Popular tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye replaces Ruan Dreyer who suffered a fractured wrist and was unavailable for selection.

Elsewhere, speedster Rabz Maxwane joins Jordan Hendrikse and the Smith brothers as impact players.

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

Emirates Lions Match 23

1. Corne Fourie

2. PJ Botha

3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye

4. Ruben Schoeman

5. Willem Alberts

6. Hanru Sirgel

7. Emmanuel Tshituka

8. Francke Horn

9. Morne van den Berg

10. Sanele Nohamba

11. Edwill van der Merwe

12. Marius Louw (c)

13. Henco van Wyk

14. Richard Kriel

15. Quan Horn

Replacements

16. Jaco Visagie

17. JP Smith

18. Ruan Smith

19. Ruan Delport

20. Ruan Venter

21. JC Pretorius

22. Jordan Hendrikse

23. Rabz Maxwane