Highly sought after Vincent Tshituka returns to bolster Lions pack for Cardiff visit

Fulcrum loose-forward Vincent Tshituka has returned to the starting XV to bolster the Lions pack ahead of the Cardiff visit to Ellis Park on Sunday.

Vincent and his brother Emmanuel, also a loose-forward, missed the Lions' last United Rugby Championship encounter, a 21-13 defeat to Leinster in Dublin, because of passport visa issues.

The Democratic Republic of Congo-born flank has also reportedly been courted by the Sharks, who are on a transfer market offensive after signing Springbok Eben Etzebeth from Toulon.

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Vincent replaces Ruan Venter at No 7 in the starters, who drops to the replacements bench, while Emmanuel also features among the substitutes.

Lunga Ncube, PJ Steenkamp and Sibusiso Sangweni miss out entirely after featuring in the match 23 against Leinster.

The Lions also welcomed back lock Reinhard Nothnagel to their starting lineup.

Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said he expected an "interesting tussle" with the Welshmen this weekend.

"Cardiff Rugby will be an interesting tussle this Sunday. They will be our first international team we face at home in the competition," he said

"We had prepared quite intensely for them previously, so this week has been focused on tweaking a few things, having analysed their play over the past two months.

"It's a home game, so we are backing ourselves for a positive result. The players are feeling upbeat attitude-wise, especially after our spirited performance away to Leinster a fortnight ago."

What’s the altitude like in Johannesburg, Vincent? ????“The air is very thin” ??#URC | @LionsRugbyCo pic.twitter.com/k2oZnxS10n

Teams:

Lions

15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11