Lions recall Springbok Morné van den Berg for Edinburgh Challenge Cup playoff

The Lions made minor tweaks to their starting XV for the all-important EPCR Challenge Cup knockout clash against Edinburgh on Friday night in Scotland.

As expected, Springbok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg was brought back straight into the run-on side on Thursday by coach Ivan van Rooyen for the duel at the Hive Stadium (9pm kickoff) in the Scottish capital.

He replaces Nico Steyn, while inside centre Rynhardt Jonker takes over from Marius Louw.

Fetcher Jarod Cairns switches positions with JC Pretorius, as hooker Franco Marais and prop SJ Kotze are the other changes up front.

Lions head coach Van Rooyen opted to keep the six-two ‘Bomb Squad’ substitutes, with only Steyn and Louw providing cover in the backline.

Hooker Jaco Visagie and lock Izan Esterhuizen are set to feature for the first time on the tour as replacements.

Although they lost heavily in their previous game, 42-0 against Glasgow last weekend, the continuity in selection in most positions should boost the Johannesburg side.

They have a mountain to climb when it comes to getting past Edinburgh to make it into the quarter-finals.

Their hosts will be smelling blood after witnessing how Glasgow dismantled the Lions 42-0 last weekend in the United Rugby Championship, but a week is a long time in rugby.

The South Africans know how to fight with their backs against the wall, and Friday evening will be the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their tenacity, despite being on the backfoot.

Lions Team

15 Quan Horn 14 Richard Kriel 13 Manuel Rass 12 Rynhardt Jonker 11 Edwill van der Merwe 10 Gianni Lombard 9 Morné van den Berg 8 Francke Horn (captain) 7 Ruan Venter 6 Jarod Cairns 5 Darrien Landsberg 4 Ruben Schoeman 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Franco Marais 1 SJ Kotze.

Bench: 16 Jaco Visagie 17 Juan Schoeman 18 RF Schoeman 19 Izan Esterhuizen 20 Sibabalo Qoma 21 Nico Steyn 22 JC Pretorius 23 Marius Louw.