Lions make 3 changes for final home URC game

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named his team for their final home game of the United Rugby Championship season against Benetton on Saturday.

Van Rooyen made three changes to the starting XV that lost 33-30 to Connacht last weekend.

In the backline, Stean Pienaar returns to the starting XV in place of Rabz Waxwane, while up front, props JP Smith and Carlu Sadie start in place of Sti Sithole and Ruan Dreyer.

Scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys called on his players to execute effectively against the Italian outfit on Saturday.

"The focus for us this week has been on better decision-making and keeping our structures when it comes to the fundamentals of the game which could ultimately give us the edge over the weekend," the former Bok prop said.

"We all know rugby is rewarding when you win, but to focus on the result won't necessarily do the job for you. Our processes are what is key for us not only ahead of Saturday, but as building blocks for the future," said the former Bok prop.

The Lions, who lie 12th on the URC standings, are out of the running for the play-offs. They will play their final match against the Dragons in Wales on 21 May.

Saturday's clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 14:00.

15 Quan Horn, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Francke Horn, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith 

Substitutes: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manuel Rass, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel