Two Springbok players released to the Lions
· The South African
Although the majority of focus has shifted to the Test series between the Springboks and All Blacks, it shouldn’t be forgotten that New Zealand still have one more ‘tour’ game against the Lions on Tuesday.
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The All Blacks have understandably selected a ‘second team’ as all first-choice players will not be risked just days away from the second Test against the Springboks this Saturday.
Meanwhile, utility back Quan Horn and prop Boan Venter have been released from the Springboks to bolster the Lions against the All Blacks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
Francke Horn leads the side in a loose trio featuring Siba Mahashe and Batho Hlekani, while new recruits Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Hyron Andrews and Boeta Chamberlain are set to make their Lions debuts off the bench.
Lions welcome return of Springbok stars
Horn will start at fullback on Tuesday night, while Venter has been included on the bench.
Lions15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Boan Venter, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.
New Zealand15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Emoni Narawa, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Sam Darry, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Siale Lauaki
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
None of the All Blacks starters in the 33-16 triumph over the Springboks in the first Test on Saturday will face the Lions.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures and results
- Friday, 7 August: Stormers 21-38 New Zealand, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
- Tuesday, 11 August: Sharks 0-54 New Zealand, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
- Saturday, 15 August: Bulls 19-50 New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Saturday, 22 August: First Test, Springboks 16-33 New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Tuesday, 25 August: Lions vs New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 19:00
- Saturday, 29 August: Second Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 17:10
- Saturday, 5 September: Third Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – 17:10
- Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – 23:00 (SA time)