Jordan Hendrikse or Tiaan Swanepoel: Who will be at 10? Why not both?

Johannesburg - Conspicuous by absence is the incumbent No 9 of the Emirates Lions, Andre Warner, from the tour party that has travelled to Dublin to face Leinster in a United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter on Friday (kick-off 9.35pm).

Warner has been one of head coach Ivan van Rooyen’s go to selection, and no doubt one of the first names to be scribbled down on the teamsheet - not only this season but since joining the union in 2020. The 26-strong list of names released by the union late Sunday night didn’t reveal the reason for his absence, but it was confirmed on Monday morning that it was due to injury.

In all honesty, that could have been the only reason that the ever-present 26-year-old would miss this match.

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Nevertheless, it sees the exciting prospect of 19-year-old Baby Bok Nico Steyn elevated into the senior squad, and he will no doubt play a role in the match against Leinster, deputising for Morne van den Berg. Steyn will also be joined by another newly blooded Baby Bok in utility-back Quan Horn, who has played one senior professional match for the Lions this year.

Perhaps the biggest selection this weekend, however, will be at flyhalf.

Fred Zeilinga, who played off the bench in the 43-21 Currie Cup loss this past weekend against the Sharks, has been dropped from the squad, leaving Tiaan Swanepoel and Jordan Hendrikse as the natural picks for the No 10 jumper. EW Viljoen could also slot in at pivot, as was the case last year when the team found itself in dire need of a No 10, but it is more likely that Van Rooyen will choose between the aforementioned duo.

It is also possible, although improbable, that