Right wing Kelly Mpeku will make his international debut at right wing in the Lions team that will face French giants Montpellier in their EPCR Challenge Cup match in the south of France on Saturday night (7.30pm kick-off).
The Lions, who are fourth in their pool, have been boosted by the return to fitness of fullback Quan Horn for the tricky encounter against a physical yet well-balanced attacking Montpellier team packed with international quality, including former Bulls wing Madosh Tambwe.
The pool leaders also have form on their side, having won the opening two games of the competition, and are flying high in the French Top 14.
The Lions’ form, by contrast, is patchy, with a 43-35 win over Pau at Ellis Park coming after a 30-14 loss to the Ospreys away in round one.
Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys promised a return to their attacking identity – or Lions style – in the build-up to tomorrow’s match, admitting that they had often abandoned it in the wet conditions.
Game day -1 ⏳#MONvLIO#ForOurCity#ChallengeCupRugby#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/vcYH1tqUTP
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 10, 2025
Players like Mpeku and fellow wing Edwill van der Merwe, as well as centres Marius Louw (the skipper) and Erich Cronjé, will be crucial to getting the Lions over the gain-line and punching holes in the opposition defence.
Replacement scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba is another exciting attacking option.
There will also be huge responsibility on the shoulders of rookie flyhalf Sam Francis, but Van der Merwe is confident in the ability of the young players to rise to the occasion.
“Whenever anyone gets an opportunity, they grab it with both hands,” he said.
“You know Sammy’s been training quite well, and there’s few other guys in the team really putting up their hands.
The boys are soaking in the French vibes ahead of this weekend’s clash! 🦁#ForOurCity
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 10, 2025
#ChallengeCupRugby#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/JDYkg9u4kh
“And then obviously the players around them, it’s our responsibility to make them feel comfortable as possible, and kind of give them confidence to just play their game, because the coaches pick them for a reason.
“If they get picked, they have a job to do, so full confidence in Sammy and everyone else getting the opportunity to play.
“Obviously we’re getting to the Lions way of playing rugby, and you know Sammy’s the guy that the coaches back this weekend to do the job for us.”
Lions No 11 Van der Merwe is sure to have a battle royale when he comes face-to-face with Montpellier No 14 Tambwe, who also once played for the Johannesburg outfit.
But he is confident that the young Lions will be up for the challenge, as they seek to keep their play-off hopes alive at the GGL Stadium.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn 14 Kelly Mpeku 13 Erich Cronjé 12 Marius Louw (captain) 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Sam Francis 9 Nico Steyn 8 Francke Horn 7 Izan Esterhuizen 6 WJ Steenkamp 5 Ruan Delport 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Jaco Visagie 1 Juan Schoeman.
Bench: 16 PJ Botha 17 Morgan Naudé 18 Conraad van Vuuren 19 Darrien Landsberg 20 Ruhan Straeuli 21 JC Pretorius 22 Sanele Nohamba 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
Montpellier: 15 Anthony Bouthier 14 Madosh Tambwe 13 Thomas Darmon 12 Auguste Cadot 11 George Bridge 10 Thomas Vincent 9 Alexis Bernadet 8 Sam Simmonds 7 Lenni Nouchi (captain) 6 Nicolas Martins 5 Marco Tauleigne 4 Youssouf Soucouna 3 Luka Japaridze 2 Lyam Akrab 1 Enzo Forletta.
Bench: 16 Vano Karkadze 17 Baptiste Erdocio 18 Mohamed Haouas 19 Yacouba Camara 20 Jules Veyrier 21 Aurelien Barreau 22 Arthur Vincent 23 Pierre Lucas.