Lions try to outflank Scarlets with positional switch for Springbok Ruan Venter

The Lions go into their latest ‘do-or-die’ clash against the Scarlets at Ellis Park on Sunday (3pm kickoff) minus stalwart scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, and with a positional switch for Springbok flanker Ruan Venter.

Nico Steyn will replace livewire Springbok Van den Berg, who has a hamstring injury, in the starting line-up against the Welsh visitors.

He will be expected to provide the spark for an exciting Lions backline that includes the elusive and dynamic Quan Horn at fullback, star centre Henco van Wyk and wings Richard Kriel and Edwill van der Merwe.

If their pack can help give them front-foot ball, then home fans could be in for a treat of running rugby.

They will have to cut out the unforced errors that have blighted their play at times this season, however.

Should they once again opt for the conservative game-plan that characterised their last match, then the strong boot of flyhalf Kade Wolhuter could prove telling for coach Ivan van Rooyen’s side.

While Steyn is a like-for-like replacement for Van den Berg, whose leadership will be sorely missed, the decision to move Venter to lock has raised eyebrows.

Venter replaces Ruben Schoeman, who falls out of the match-23 altogether. He will pack down alongside Ruan Delport.

The experienced Darrien Landsberg will provide lock cover on the bench, should the experiment falter. PJ Botha also provides experienced back-up at hooker. 

Layton Horn provides scrumhalf cover, while Lubabalo Dobela can help out in a few backline positions.

The young Renzo du Plessis gets another chance to impress in the No 7 jersey, having been one of the stand-out players in the victory over Connacht in Johannesburg. 

Hooker Jaco Visagie continues to skipper the side in the absence of regular captain and No 8  Francke Horn.

The Lions are seeking to build on their win over Connacht at home two weeks ago that ended a long losing streak and kept alive their slim playoff hopes.

But even with bonus-point wins in their last two games of the regular season, they can only reach 45 points.

They finish the season with a game against the Ospreys at home next weekend.

It would take a miracle for them to qualify from their current position.

The Scarlets, meanwhile, will not be keen to do them any favours as they are still chasing a play-off berth.

This should make for a thrilling contest on the highveld. 

Lions Team

15 Quan Horn 14 Richard Kriel 13 Henco van Wyk 12 Bronson Mills 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Kade Wolhuter 9 Nico Steyn 8 Jarod Cairns 7 Renzo du Plessis 6 JC Pretorius 5 Ruan Delport 4 Ruan Venter 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Jaco Visagie (captain) 1 Morgan Naude.

Bench: 16 PJ Botha 17 SJ Kotze 18 RF Schoeman 19 Darrien Landsberg 20 Sibabalo Qoma 21 Layton Horn 22  Lubabalo Dobela 23 Rynhardt Jonker.