Henco van Wyk returns for Lions in Ospreys URC season finale

The Lions welcome back star centre Henco van Wyk for Saturday’s visit of the Ospreys in their last United Rugby Championship match of the season after he had missed last weekend’s loss to the Scarlets due to illness.

There is also a start in the flyhalf jersey for Lubabalo Dobela, who had a fine cameo last weekend, reading the game well and showing great hands in the offload.

His inclusion from the start by coach Ivan van Rooyen on Friday may suggest a more expansive, running game from the Joburg side, with the more conservative Kade Wolhuter making way.

Scrumhalf Nico Steyn continues to cover for injured Springbok Morné van den Berg, and will be responsible for securing quality ball for an exciting Lions backline, where Quan Horn has been in sparkling form at fullback.

Strong ball-carrier and scrummager Juan Schoeman also returns to the starting XV, while flank Ruan Venter will again fill in at lock in the injury-enforced absence of Darrien Landsberg.

Hooker Morné Brandon and loose forward WJ Steenekamp bolster the options on the bench.

The match will also mark the final one in a Lions jersey for Edwill van der Merwe, who starts on the left wing, and centre Marius Louw.

Speedster Van der Merwe is bound for the Sharks in Durban, while Louw is heading to the Sale Sharks in England. Both players will be hoping for a fitting send-off.

The Lions will be bidding to end their URC campaign on a high after bowing out of playoff contention with a whimper.

They have won only one of their last three home games in the run-in, against Connacht, and will be seeking a consolation victory against an Ospreys side that have often been their bogey team.

The Welsh visitors, who are also out of the playoff picture, will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 29-10 loss to the Sharks in Durban.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5.15pm.

Lions Team

15 Quan Horn 14 Richard Kriel 13 Henco van Wyk 12 Bronson Mills 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Lubablo Dobela 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 Juan Schoeman.

Bench: 16 Morné Brandon 17 SJ Kotze 18 RF Schoeman 19 Izan Esterhuizen 20 WJ Steeenkamp 21 Layton Horn 22 Marius Louw 23 Kelly Mpeku.